June 02, 2008
Larsen named All-American by NCBWA
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Shaun Larsen |
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana baseball junior right-hander
Shaun Larsen (Tell City, Indiana) was named third team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association as a relief pitcher. He becomes the 13th USI baseball player and the fifth pitcher to earn All-America honors.
A first team American Baseball Coaches Association and second team Daktronics All-Region player, Larsen had a record-breaking first season with the Eagles. He set the USI single-season and career records for saves with 17, 10 coming in conference competition. The junior right-hander, who was a first team All-GLVC relief pitcher, also finished the year 4-1 with a 3.57 ERA.
Larsen is the first USI hurler to be recognized nationally since Rob Bowers was named third team All-American by the ABCA in 1999. Bowers recorded eight saves that season to set the USI single-season record that Larsen broke this spring.
The Screaming Eagles finished the season with a 36-20 overall record and the GLVC West Division championship with a 24-7 mark. The GLVC regular season title was USI's first since the 1993 season.
The 36 victories are tied for third all-time at USI for wins in a regular season. The Eagles had a team-best 38 regular season wins during 1992 and 1993, while reaching 36 victories during last year's regular schedule.
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASEBALL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION
2008 DIVISION II ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
PITCHER OF THE YEAR – Mike Adams, Franklin Pierce (N.H.)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Keith Hernandez, Emporia State (Kan.)
FIRST TEAM (5 SP due to ties in balloting)
Starting Pitcher – +++Mike Adams, Jr., Franklin Pierce (N.H.)
Starting Pitcher – Jim Fuller, So., Southern Connecticut State
Starting Pitcher – Brett Hontz, Sr., Carson-Newman (Tenn.)
Starting Pitcher – Korey Noles, Sr., Columbus State (Ga.)
Starting Pitcher – Ryan Schlecht, Sr., Mount Olive (N.C.)
Relief Pitcher – Justin Lamb, Sr., Valdosta State (Ga.)
Relief Pitcher – Anthony Perez, So., Tampa (Fla.)
Catcher – Keith Hernandez, Sr., Emporia State (Kan.)
First Base – +++Chad Jacobsen, Sr., South Carolina Aiken
Second Base – +Maikol Gonzalez, Sr., Tusculum (Tenn.)
Third Base – Rodney Rutherford, Sr., Columbus State (Ga.)
Shortstop – Jamie Nilsen, Sr., Central Washington
Outfield – Matt Cotellese, Jr., West Chester (Pa.)
Outfield – Mike Elkerson, Sr., Abilene Christian (Texas)
Outfield – David Thomas, Sr., Catawba (N.C.)
Designated Hitter/Utility Player – Dustin Walls, Sr., Incarnate Word (Texas)
SECOND TEAM (3 SP, 4 OF due to ties in balloting)
Starting Pitcher – Marquis Fleming, Sr., Cal State Stanislaus
Starting Pitcher – Matt Means, Sr., Sonoma State (Calif.)
Starting Pitcher – Steve Smith, Sr., Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
Relief Pitcher – +++Tyler Bishop, Sr., Franklin Pierce (N.H.)
Relief Pitcher – Chris Matlock, Jr., Central Missouri
Catcher – Jason Sherrer, Sr., Mount Olive (N.C.)
First Base – Ben Minard, So., Ashland (Ohio)
Second Base – Chas Anthony, So., Erskine (S.C.)
Third Base – Greyson Schram, So., Concord (W.Va.)
Shortstop – Randall Clay, Sr., Southeastern Oklahoma<