Photo courtesy of Cornell College.

Walker Breard’s decision to join the Cornell College Rams baseball team was influenced by a former high school teammate. Breard, a 2014 Washington graduate, was named the Midwest Conference’s Hitter of the Week for the second time in his short career as the Rams’ starting first baseman. The sophomore’s offensive power has been well documented, recording 16 home runs in 51 collegiate baseball games entering play this afternoon.

Breard was a guest on this week’s PM Sports Page and said 2012 Washington graduate Jared Henry played a huge role in the recruiting process, exposing his talents to head coach Seth Wing. T.J. Rausch, a 2012 Washington alum, is also a senior on this year’s Rams baseball team. Breard said having the two on the team has made the transition from high school to college baseball easier.

The trio of former Demons has the Rams baseball team atop the Midwest Conference at 13-7 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Cornell returns to the field today, hosting the Monmouth College Fighting Scots in a doubleheader today in Mount Vernon. The Rams will travel to Monmouth, Illinois, after the game for another doubleheader versus the Fighting Scots tomorrow afternoon.