DURHAM, N.C. – The Coastal Plain League (CPL) announced today that Tri-City first baseman Keaton Ray and Macon pitcher David Austen were named the TrackMan CPL Hitter and Pitcher of the Week respectively for Week 5 (June 28-July 4) of the 2026 season.
Ray not only stood out for the Chili Peppers, but across the CPL as well, leading the league in batting average (.571), slugging (1.143) and OPS (1.790). The senior from Middle Tennessee State connected on eight hits, including a pair of doubles and homers to go with four runs and 4 RBIs. He also drew three walks and finished with a .647 on-base percentage. Overall, Ray is slashing .229/.400/.443 with three doubles and 4 dingers. He’s also scored 10 runs and tallied 12 RBIs to go with a team-best 19 walks.
On the bump, Austen gave the Bacon all he had in his two appearances on the week. In 10 innings of work, he gave up just one earned run on five hits, walked two and struck out nine. While he didn’t earn a decision, he did end with a respectable 0.90 ERA and 0.70 WHIP, while holding opposing batters to a lousy .139 average. The 5’10, 165-pound southpaw from Rollins is a perfect 4-0 with a respectable 3.38 ERA so far in 2026. He’s struck out a team-high 31 in 32 innings and sports an overall WHIP of 1.03 and K/9 of 8.72.
About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier and most innovative summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 212 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Jake Cave, Alec Bohm, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.
About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; the Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; the Zebulon Devil Dogz in Zebulon, NC; the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.