Kelmer shines in second season
By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Cherry Hill Sun
6/27/2009

Overall, Jason Kelmer’s season playing for the Salem Community College Oaks was disappointing, but personally it ended on a high note as he was named First Team All-Conference and First Team All- Region for the second year in a row.

Kelmer, 20, the team’s starting third baseman, batted .372 with 55 hits, 32 runs scored, 44 runs batted in, 18 doubles, nine home runs and six stolen bases this past season, earning him the honors.

According to SCC, the Cherry Hill West graduate competed in the Garden State Athletic Conference and Region XIX (Division II) of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

The standout said SCC intrigued him when he was looking for colleges coming out of Cherry Hill West. Several universities gave him looks, he said, but SCC was intriguing because it had a team that traveled extensively to four-year colleges in the south, offering good exposure for athletes.

“Coming out of high school, I was getting some looks here and there,” he said. “The opportunity to go to SCC drew my attention. They’re a Division II team and they travel a lot. They get a lot of good exposure.”

SCC didn’t have a sterling season, but Kelmer said he enjoyed his two years at the community college. The team went 11-33 for the season.

SCC Head Coach Adam Gawason said he would miss having Kelmer on the roster next year.

“Jason was able to follow up an excellent freshman season with another outstanding campaign,” Gawason said. “He justified his nomination as a NJCAA Division II Pre-Season All-American and was able to repeat his first-team selections as an All-Conference and All- Region player from a year ago. Jason improved tremendously during his two years here and will be difficult to replace. I wish him the best of luck next season.”

Additionally, he was also named the Division II player of the week on April 29 by the NJCAA. The three-year varsity infielder/pitcher at Cherry Hill West wrapped up his sophomore year at SCC at a torrid pace, going 14 for 22 at the plate with seven doubles and three home runs over six games. The starting third baseman also scored six runs and drove in 17 RBIs.

He also drew a walk and stole four bases over that span.

“Prior to that week, I made some adjustments to my approach and also my batting stance. I was struggling prior a week or so before that big week,” he said. “It just showed the turnaround. I was able to show what I was capable of.”

Kelmer graduated from SCC this year and is currently looking into transferring to another university. He hopes to continue playing baseball at a high level when he decides which university he’ll attend next year. His father, Alan, said he hopes his son continues his career and is proud of his son’s accomplishments.

“It makes me feel great. I’m proud of him, it’s a great accomplishment,” he said.