Florida Gulf Coast University – FGCU – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Jillian Cain Photography
It’s not easy to reach base during a Division I collegiate baseball game.
Brian Ellis, an outfielder for Florida Gulf Coast, has now accomplished this feat 102 times in a row.
Ellis reached base safely for the 102nd straight game on Tuesday against Florida Atlantic after working a five-pitch walk and setting an unofficial NCAA record.
Ellis overtook Mark Payton of the University of Texas, who established the previous record in 2013–14, according to FGCU sports, even though the NCAA does not track consecutive games safely reaching base – it tracks hit, walk, and hit-by-pitch streaks.
Ellis raised the base above his head after reaching base in the first inning, removing the bag from play.
“It’s a great feeling to have any record here, and to have that one as a national record is a huge accomplishment that I am happy about,” Ellis said, per FGCU athletics. “I’m glad I got it out of the way early, and any time I get on base I am happy because it helps our team.”
Senior redshirt Ellis is hitting.299 with a.477 on-base percentage so far this year.
“He is just a special player, so unselfish,” FGCU head baseball coach Dave Tollett said. “This record states just how unselfish he is, and it is so special. He is a great kid, one of the best kids I’ve ever coached, and the only captain I have ever had in 37 years. It is well deserved.”
Ellis had a record-breaking day, but the Eagles lost at FAU for the second time in a row, falling 5-4 to the Owls.
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Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
