Furman: Solid, consistent performer who returns for his second season of starting duty in left field and as the Paladins’ leadoff hitter, where he utilizes an excellent command of the strike zone with solid bat control...selected to the coaches preseason All-SoCon second team. 2010 — Fashioned a breakout season, making the move from second base to left field, where he earned playing time in 54 of Furman’s 56 games and logged 53 starts...hit .351 with eight home runs and 38 RBI to finish second on the squad in batting average behind Brian Harrison (.367)...tied with Harrison for the team lead in on base percentage (.462)...led the squad in walks (38) and struck out only 14 times in 205 at bats...72 hits ranked second on the team, trailing only Will Muzika (74)...swiped 11 bases in 14 attempts...earned Southern Conference Player of the Week and was named a College Baseball Foundation Weekly All-Star after hitting .786 (11x14) with three home runs, 10 RBI, and seven runs scored in helping Furman to a 4-0 record that included a three-game series sweep of Ohio and triumph over Dayton...oustanding week included a Furman record tying seven consecutive hits...put together an 11-game hitting streak from Feb. 28-Mar. 19...homered and doubled as part of a 3-for-5 performance in an 11-3 victory over 26th-ranked College of Charleston...went deep in a 2-for-4, 2-RBI, 2-run display in Furman’s 11-10 win over Wofford, which completed a three-game series sweep and helped the Paladins secure a SoCon Tournament berth...belted a grand slam to fuel a comeback from a 10-0 deficit in Furman’s eventual 13-10 loss to Samford in SoCon Tournament second round action...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll. 2009 — Registered playing time in 25 games and nine starts, primarily at second base but also at shortstop and designated hitter...was Furman’s opening day starter at second base in the absence of injured Marcus Rose...scored a pair of runs in a 14-7 win over Ball State...delivered a pinch-hit, RBI double in a 9-8 win over Gardner-Webb...cracked a solo home run against Presbyterian to give Furman an 8-5 victory to complete a doubleheader sweep...named to the SoCon Academic Honor Roll... played summer ball in the Valley League with the Staunton Braves along with Furman teammates Kevin Gottlieb and Stephen Gary.
High School: 2008 graduate of baseball power Riverside (3A) High School...coach was Chris Bates...played shortstop...hit .397 for his career...three-time all-region and two-time all-state pick...served as team captain his senior season, helping Riverside to the Upper State finals...member of Riverside’s 2006 state title squad (30-2)...played in 2007 and ‘08 Big League World Series, keying his squad to 2008 crown.
Personal: Full name is Willam Harrison Owens...son of Kent and Carole Ann Owens...born August 10, 1989, in Greenville, South Carolina...has two sisters, Anna and Carly...majoring in business administration.
