Trio Named All-Conference, Burruss and Owens All-Freshman
Blackburn (Marietta, Ga.) was joined by sophomore shortstop Eric Phillips (Carrollton, Ga.) and junior outfielder Shawn Payne (Stone Mountain, Ga.) on the Second Team. Michael Burruss (Marietta, Ga.) and Arthur Owens (Fayetteville, Ga.) were named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team.
Leading the team in five offensive categories, Blackburn enters the SoCon Tournament carrying a .349 batting average. He leads the team in home runs (17), RBI (74), total bases (143), walks (45) and slugging percentage (.665). For his performance during the week of May 20, Blackburn was selected as the SoCon Player of the Week and CollegeBaseballInsider.com’s Southeast National Player of the Week.
His slugging percentage ranks fifth in the SoCon, while his RBI total places him third in the league and his home run count is second-best. Blackburn ties for the team-lead in doubles with 17 and has started all 56 games at either first base or designated hitter.
Earning second team recognition at shortstop, Phillips leads the team in hitting with a .355 batting average. The sophomore has tallied 44 runs scored, 83 hits, 15 doubles, seven home runs and 56 RBI on the season. He has 16 walks to 13 strikeouts in 234 at-bats. Phillips earned All-Freshman honors last season.
Joining Phillips on the Second Team is newcomer Payne, who has compiled a .977 fielding percentage in centerfield. The junior owns a .343 batting average with 66 runs scored (team best), 15 doubles, five home runs and 32 RBI. He leads the team in stolen bases with 43 in 45 attempts. Payne was not caught stealing until the Davidson series in mid-May. In the latest NCAA national rankings, Payne was third in the nation in stolen bases.
Burruss, a redshirt-freshman, has started 42 contests this season either as designated hitter or catcher. He has scored 32 times and driven in 26 runs while batting .324. In 173 at-bats, Burruss has tallied 12 doubles, one triple and one home run.
Owens has played in all 56 games, starting 55. The freshman has a .312 batting average with nine doubles, one triple, 30 RBI and 41 runs scored in 205 at-bats. He has floated between left field and right field with a .962 fielding percentage.
The third-seeded Eagles (34-22) open 2010 Southern Conference Tournament play this week against the sixth-seeded Western Carolina Catamounts. The conference foes take Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park in Charleston, S.C. on Wednesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. in first round action. Tickets can be purchased to the tournament by calling 1-843-953-3647.
2010 SoCon Baseball All-Conference Team
Player of the Year – Matt Leeds, So., 3B, College of Charleston
Pitcher of the Year – Asher Wojciechowski, Jr., RHP, The Citadel
Freshman of the Year – Will Muzika, Fr., SS, Furman
Coach of the Year – Fred Jordan, The Citadel
First Team
SP Asher Wojciechowski, The Citadel
SP Jimmy Reyes, Elon
RP Chris Patterson, Appalachian State
C Mike Melillo, Elon
1B Kyle Blackburn, Georgia Southern
2B Wes Hobson, Appalachian State
SS Neal Pritchard, Elon
3B Matt Leeds, College of Charleston
OF Cole Rakar, College of Charleston
OF David Schulze, Samford
OF Jose Rodriguez, College of Charleston
DH Mac Doyle, Wofford
Second Team
SP Matt Benedict, Western Carolina
SP Kevin Decker, College of Charleston
RP Lex Rutledge, Samford
C Rob Kral, College of Charleston
1B Greg Blake, College of Charleston
2B Bryan Altman, The Citadel
SS Eric Phillips, Georgia Southern
3B Kyle Behrendt, Wofford
OF Shawn Payne, Georgia Southern
OF Matt Hinson, Elon
OF Nick Orvin, The Citadel
OF Wayne Miller, Samford
DH Jerod Faggart, Appalachian State
All-Freshman Team
Hector Crespo, Appalachian State
Ryan Stetson, Appalachian State
Christian Powell, College of Charleston
Michael Clevinger, The Citadel
Andrew Barna, Davidson
Alex Swim, Elon
Kyle Webb, Elon
Will Muzika, Furman
Michael Burruss, Georgia Southern
Arthur Owens, Georgia Southern
Harry Slade, UNC Greensboro
Lex Rutledge, Samford
- Category: Baseball
- Published on Monday, 24 May 2010 16:19
