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Carico Hits Record-Setting 19th Home Run of the Year

by | May 23, 2022

Wildcat Michael Carico rounding second after hitting one of his record-setting 19 home runs.

 

DAVIDSON — One day after helping the Davidson Wildcats secure at least a share of the Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season championship, catcher Michael Carico became the program’s single-season home run king in Friday’s 9-4 loss to George Mason at Wilson Field.

Carico led off the bottom of the first inning with a sky-high home run to right field. It’s his 19th of the year, which tops the 18 hit by Will Robertson in 2017.

Carico pumped his fist as he neared second base and was greeted with open arms by his teammates after crossing home plate.

“It’s definitely special to me, and it means a lot to know my name will be in the Davidson record book,” said Carico. “I’m also glad I got it out of the way before the conference tournament, so it won’t be hanging over me.”

Carico’s home run actually secured his third and fourth single-season Davidson records. It was also his 40th extra-base hit, which passed the 39 Robertson had in 2017. He set the hit-by-pitch record with his 18th in April — he’s currently at 25 — and he now owns the runs record as well with 66. He scored his record-setting 65th run on Trevor Candelaria’s first grand slam in Friday’s win.

“To get the home run record in the same season as the other records is pretty telling for Mike,” said Davidson coach Rucker Taylor. “He’s a very talented player that is also tough and a great competitor. He’s been a catalyst for us in many ways this season.”

On Friday, Jacob Friend’s sacrifice fly in the second inning gave Davidson a 2-0 lead, but the Patriots changed the game with a five-run fifth.

The Wildcats added runs in the eighth and ninth on Jacob Hinderleider’s RBI-single and a Carico sacrifice fly, respectively.

One day after hitting two grand slams and driving in nine, Candelaria saw his reached-base streak end at 44 games. He’d reached base in every game dating to March 5 against Columbia.

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