Career Game Highs Hits: 4, 3/27 vs. Tennessee Tech
Runs: *2, last 4/15 vs. Auburn
RBI: *1, last 4/15 vs. Auburn
Walks: 2, 3/13 vs. Siena
HRs: Strikeouts: *1, last 3/3 vs. Rhode Island G2
Stolen Bases: 1, 4/11 vs. Belmont
Coach Corbin Quote: Joel is one of the most improved student-athlete's on our team. He has advanced himself greatly on the ball field and in the classroom. With each day that goes by his confidence grows. He will be able to help us as a left side infielder because of his hands and strong arm. His strength is very noticeable when he hits the baseball...he had a very good fall in that area.
2012 - Scored a run going 0-for-3 in win over MTSU 4/17... Singled twice, scoring two runs and driving in a run in win over Auburn 4/15... Walked and went 0-for-2 against Auburn 4/14... Entered as a defensive replacement going 0-for-1 against Auburn 4/13... Started at third base going 0-for-3 in win over Belmont 4/11... Singled in a run in win over UT-Martin 4/3... Went 0-for-2 against South Carolina 3/30... Posted a perfect 4-for-4 night against Tennessee Tech 3/27 for career-highs in hits, runs (2) and RBI (1)... Went 0-for-2 with a pair of strikeouts as sthe starting shortstop in win over Georgia 3/24... Started at shortstop for the first time this season drawing a career-high two walks and scoring a career-best two runs in win over Siena 3/13... Scored a run as a pinch runner at Belmont 3/6... Struck out in his lone at-bat against Rhode Island 3/3 G2... Started at third base going 0-for-2 against Oregon 2/25... Made his first collegiate start, starting at third base and going 0-for-2 with a walk against Oakland 2/22... Entered as a defensive replacement and went 0-for-2 at Stanford 2/19.
2011 - Notched his first career hit with a single to center against Tennessee Tech 3/22... Struck out as a pinch hitter against Purdue 3/15... Played in his first collegiate game going 0-for-1 against Wofford 3/8... SUMMER BALL - Played in the Valley League for Winchester hitting .256 with two home runs, seven doubles, 27 runs scored, 20 stolen bases and 25 RBI in 45 games.
HIGH SCHOOL - Team MVP... Two-time All-Conference selection, 2010 Rawlings Pre-season All-American Third Team, All-WNC, All-State, Gatorade Player of the Year nominee (2010), 2009 Region 8 State Games...2010 team made it to the state semifinals... Lettered three years in baseball and two years in indoor track... Was a member of National Honor Society... Played summer ball for the Carolina Cyclones (2009), Midland Braves (2008) and North Carolina Dirtbags (2007)... Drafted in the 39th round by Colorado in the 2010 MLB Draft.
ACADEMICS - McKeithan is undeclared on a major in his first year at Vanderbilt.
PERSONAL - Joel Michael McKeithan... Born 8/15/91... Son of Vimi and Mack McKeithan... Has three siblings Timothy, Lydia and Aaron... His dad played baseball North Carolina State while his grandfather played professionally for seven years in the Cardinals organization... Favorites include Hanley Ramirez and Michael Jordan (athletes), The Sandlot (movie), Baseball Tonight (TV show), Country Fried Steak (meal) and Fruity Pebbles (late night snack)... Lists hitting a walk-off home run his junior year of high school as his most memorable athletic moment... Chose Vanderbilt because of outstanding academics, the caliber of the baseball program, team atmosphere, the coaches and their ability to develop players for the next level.
