(Story by USC Aiken)
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - USC Aiken's Travis Howard was named to the 2010 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II Preseason All-America first team as a designated hitter.
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - USC Aiken's Travis Howard was named to the 2010 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II Preseason All-America first team as a designated hitter.
Howard was a consensus first team All-America selection last season as a junior after being chosen to the Daktronics All-America first team and the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) first team as a designated hitter. He was also tabbed to the NCBWA first team as a designated hitter.
Howard was one of four players chosen to the Preseason All-America team who also earned first team All-NCBWA All-America honors last spring. He was joined in that group by Mesa State outfielder Kevin Becker, who earned All-America honors as a second baseman in 2009, Dowling College pitcher Gabriel Duran and Lynn University starting pitcher Dan Wright.
Howard was one of four players chosen to the Preseason All-America team who also earned first team All-NCBWA All-America honors last spring. He was joined in that group by Mesa State outfielder Kevin Becker, who earned All-America honors as a second baseman in 2009, Dowling College pitcher Gabriel Duran and Lynn University starting pitcher Dan Wright.
The association's Division II national poll voters and members of the association's board of directors selected the NCBWA Division II Preseason All-America teams from nominations submitted by sports information directors at NCAA Division II baseball-playing institutions.
The 2010 Division II Preseason All-America teams include 20 student-athletes who earned All-America honors last spring. A total of 40 schools had at least one representative on the Division II Preseason All-America teams. Angelo State led the way with six representatives on the teams, one first team selection, one second team selection and four third team selections.
The 2009 Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year, Howard (Bonneau, S.C./USC Salkehatchie) captured one of the most prolific regular seasons on offense in 2009 not only in USC Aiken and Peach Belt Conference history, but in NCAA Division II history.
The 2010 Division II Preseason All-America teams include 20 student-athletes who earned All-America honors last spring. A total of 40 schools had at least one representative on the Division II Preseason All-America teams. Angelo State led the way with six representatives on the teams, one first team selection, one second team selection and four third team selections.
The 2009 Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year, Howard (Bonneau, S.C./USC Salkehatchie) captured one of the most prolific regular seasons on offense in 2009 not only in USC Aiken and Peach Belt Conference history, but in NCAA Division II history.
Howard, who was also named to the All-Peach Belt Conference first team as a designated hitter, ended the 2009 season with 103 RBIs to tie Jason Jones' (Kennesaw State) PBC record of 103 originally set in 1998. He just missed out on tying the all-time NCAA Division II record of 104 set by Jarred McAlvain of Central Oklahoma in 1997.
Howard's proclivity to bring in runs in 2009 left him ending the year atop the NCAA Division II landscape in runs batted in and runs batted in per game. He is overall in the top 100 in NCAA Division II in 11 different offensive categories.
Howard had an incredible 38 extra-base hits in the 2009 regular season, finishing the regular season with 19 home runs, 16 doubles and three triples. The power numbers helped Howard own a slugging percentage of .694.??????The only player to be named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week three times in 2009, Howard ended the year in the top 10 in the Peach Belt Conference in 10 different offensive categories, including hits, runs scored, home runs, doubles, RBIs, total bases, slugging percentage, total plate appearances, at-bats and sacrifice flies.
Howard had 31 multiple hit games in 2009, finishing the year with 29 multiple RBI games, including four contests with five or more RBIs.
USC Aiken's 2009 baseball team ended the year tied with Central Missouri for 10th in the final Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division II Top 30 poll.
The final ranking of 10th was the highest for the 2009 Peach Belt Conference regular season champion under Thomas.
Howard had an incredible 38 extra-base hits in the 2009 regular season, finishing the regular season with 19 home runs, 16 doubles and three triples. The power numbers helped Howard own a slugging percentage of .694.??????The only player to be named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week three times in 2009, Howard ended the year in the top 10 in the Peach Belt Conference in 10 different offensive categories, including hits, runs scored, home runs, doubles, RBIs, total bases, slugging percentage, total plate appearances, at-bats and sacrifice flies.
Howard had 31 multiple hit games in 2009, finishing the year with 29 multiple RBI games, including four contests with five or more RBIs.
USC Aiken's 2009 baseball team ended the year tied with Central Missouri for 10th in the final Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division II Top 30 poll.
The final ranking of 10th was the highest for the 2009 Peach Belt Conference regular season champion under Thomas.
USC Aiken ended the 2008 season ranked 11th, while they concluded the 2005 season 12th.
The Pacers reached as high as No. 2 nationally in 2009 en route to their second ever Peach Belt Conference regular season championship. The regular season title was the first for the Pacers since 1994. The Pacers also have two PBC Tournament crowns, having won the league tournament in 1992 and 1993.
The Pacers' prowess during the regular season helped USC Aiken to top honors in the Southeast Region, enabling the program to host its second ever NCAA Division II Tournament regional.
The Pacers reached as high as No. 2 nationally in 2009 en route to their second ever Peach Belt Conference regular season championship. The regular season title was the first for the Pacers since 1994. The Pacers also have two PBC Tournament crowns, having won the league tournament in 1992 and 1993.
The Pacers' prowess during the regular season helped USC Aiken to top honors in the Southeast Region, enabling the program to host its second ever NCAA Division II Tournament regional.
The Pacers advanced to the regional final for the second consecutive season before bowing out to NCAA Division II Baseball Championship semifinalist and Conference Carolinas Tournament champion Belmont Abbey in the first game of the championship round.
USC Aiken (42-19) concluded its season having been a part of its fifth consecutive NCAA Division II Baseball regional.
The Pacers' 42 wins in 2009 leave the program entering the 2010 campaign with five consecutive 40-win seasons.
USC Aiken (42-19) concluded its season having been a part of its fifth consecutive NCAA Division II Baseball regional.
The Pacers' 42 wins in 2009 leave the program entering the 2010 campaign with five consecutive 40-win seasons.
USC Aiken has been a participant in the NCAA Division II Tournament seven times (1992, 1993, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009).
The 2010 Pacers begin their season with a three-game home series against the South Atlantic Conference's Lincoln Memorial. USC Aiken's regular season opener will be at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5 against the Railsplitters. The three-game set will conclude with 1 p.m. games on Saturday (Feb. 6) and Sunday (Feb. 7).
NOTE: * 2009 NCBWA All-America first team; # 2009 NCBWA All-America second team; + 2009 NCBWA All-America third team; & 2009 NCBWA All-America honorable mention)
The 2010 Pacers begin their season with a three-game home series against the South Atlantic Conference's Lincoln Memorial. USC Aiken's regular season opener will be at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5 against the Railsplitters. The three-game set will conclude with 1 p.m. games on Saturday (Feb. 6) and Sunday (Feb. 7).
NOTE: * 2009 NCBWA All-America first team; # 2009 NCBWA All-America second team; + 2009 NCBWA All-America third team; & 2009 NCBWA All-America honorable mention)
FIRST TEAM
Catcher: T.J. Nichols, sr., Indiana (Pa.)
First Baseman: Kenny Burkhead, sr., Emporia State
Second Baseman: Jason Morriss, sr., Angelo State
Third Baseman: Matt Bauer, sr., Southwest Minnesota State
Shortstop: Jesus Arzaga, sr., Regis
Outfielder: *Kevin Becker, sr., Mesa State; +Sam DiMatteo, sr., California (Pa.); &J.J. Putt, sr., Regis
Designated Hitter: *Travis Howard, sr., USC Aiken
Utility Player: +Will Gowdy, sr., Ouachita Baptist
Starting Pitcher: Keith Couch, jr., Adelphi; *Gabriel Duran, jr., Dowling; &Ajay Meyer, sr., Ashland;
&Max Russell, jr., Florida Southern; *Dan Wright, sr., Lynn
Relief Pitcher: Tim Dupuis, sr., Assumption; Trevor Leach, jr., Southern Indiana
Catcher: T.J. Nichols, sr., Indiana (Pa.)
First Baseman: Kenny Burkhead, sr., Emporia State
Second Baseman: Jason Morriss, sr., Angelo State
Third Baseman: Matt Bauer, sr., Southwest Minnesota State
Shortstop: Jesus Arzaga, sr., Regis
Outfielder: *Kevin Becker, sr., Mesa State; +Sam DiMatteo, sr., California (Pa.); &J.J. Putt, sr., Regis
Designated Hitter: *Travis Howard, sr., USC Aiken
Utility Player: +Will Gowdy, sr., Ouachita Baptist
Starting Pitcher: Keith Couch, jr., Adelphi; *Gabriel Duran, jr., Dowling; &Ajay Meyer, sr., Ashland;
&Max Russell, jr., Florida Southern; *Dan Wright, sr., Lynn
Relief Pitcher: Tim Dupuis, sr., Assumption; Trevor Leach, jr., Southern Indiana
SECOND TEAM
Catcher: Pat Trettel, sr., Seton Hill
First Baseman: +Keith Towne, sr., Angelo State
Second Baseman: Seth Fox, sr., Upper Iowa
Third Baseman: Blake Cover, sr., Nebraska-Kearney
Shortstop: &Vance Albitz, sr., UC San Diego
Outfielder: Nate Baumann, jr., Augustana (S.D.); Sean Harrell, sr., Georgia College & State U.;
Derek Migrants, sr., Assumption
Designated Hitter: &Jason Carr, sr., Mesa State
Utility Player: &Tyler Choate, sr., Southern Indiana
Starting Pitcher: &Logan Birr, so., St. Cloud State; Vince Lloyd, sr., Slippery Rock; Ben Minard, sr.,
Ashland; Matt Rossman, sr., UC San Diego; &Tim Shibuya, jr., UC San Diego.
Relief Pitcher: &Martin Dewald, sr., Georgia College & State U.; Daniel Tillman, jr., Florida Southern
Catcher: Pat Trettel, sr., Seton Hill
First Baseman: +Keith Towne, sr., Angelo State
Second Baseman: Seth Fox, sr., Upper Iowa
Third Baseman: Blake Cover, sr., Nebraska-Kearney
Shortstop: &Vance Albitz, sr., UC San Diego
Outfielder: Nate Baumann, jr., Augustana (S.D.); Sean Harrell, sr., Georgia College & State U.;
Derek Migrants, sr., Assumption
Designated Hitter: &Jason Carr, sr., Mesa State
Utility Player: &Tyler Choate, sr., Southern Indiana
Starting Pitcher: &Logan Birr, so., St. Cloud State; Vince Lloyd, sr., Slippery Rock; Ben Minard, sr.,
Ashland; Matt Rossman, sr., UC San Diego; &Tim Shibuya, jr., UC San Diego.
Relief Pitcher: &Martin Dewald, sr., Georgia College & State U.; Daniel Tillman, jr., Florida Southern
THIRD TEAM
Catcher: Zach Maggard, jr., Florida Southern
First Baseman: &Andrew Kinney, sr., Southwest Minnesota State
Second Baseman: Billy Messer, sr., Slippery Rock
Third Baseman: &Jacob Petkac, sr., Ashland
Shortstop: Nick Spisak, sr., West Chester
Outfielder: Isaac Garcia, sr., Angelo State; Jesse Lancaster, sr., Mount Olive; Jacob Oswalt, sr., Slippery
Rock; Brayan Valencia, sr., Nova Southeastern
Designated Hitter: #Chris Adamson, sr., Angelo State
Utility Player: Brenden Furrow, sr., Concordia-St. Paul
Starting Pitcher: David Deminsky, sr., St. Cloud State; Jeremy Gigliotti, sr., East Stroudsburg; Ben
Graham, sr. Emporia State; Colby Killian, sr., Emporia State; Joe Scumaci, sr., Lewis
Relief Pitcher: Jeffrey Asby, sr., Angelo State; Craig Blair, so., Angelo State; Bret Severtson, sr.,
Augustana (S.D.)
Catcher: Zach Maggard, jr., Florida Southern
First Baseman: &Andrew Kinney, sr., Southwest Minnesota State
Second Baseman: Billy Messer, sr., Slippery Rock
Third Baseman: &Jacob Petkac, sr., Ashland
Shortstop: Nick Spisak, sr., West Chester
Outfielder: Isaac Garcia, sr., Angelo State; Jesse Lancaster, sr., Mount Olive; Jacob Oswalt, sr., Slippery
Rock; Brayan Valencia, sr., Nova Southeastern
Designated Hitter: #Chris Adamson, sr., Angelo State
Utility Player: Brenden Furrow, sr., Concordia-St. Paul
Starting Pitcher: David Deminsky, sr., St. Cloud State; Jeremy Gigliotti, sr., East Stroudsburg; Ben
Graham, sr. Emporia State; Colby Killian, sr., Emporia State; Joe Scumaci, sr., Lewis
Relief Pitcher: Jeffrey Asby, sr., Angelo State; Craig Blair, so., Angelo State; Bret Severtson, sr.,
Augustana (S.D.)
HONORABLE MENTION
Catcher: Bob Stumpo, sr., West Chester; Marcos Torres, sr., Felician. First Baseman: Ryan Geffert, so.,
Southern Connecticut State; Ryan McCrory, sr., Alabama-Huntsville; Ben Minard, sr., Ashland; Kyle
Orensky, sr., West Chester. Second Baseman: Ryan McCormick, jr., Millersville; Chase Presley, so.,
Harding; Mickey Zudonyi, jr., Felician. Third Baseman: None. Shortstop: Paul Bingham, sr., Indiana
(Pa.); Wade Kirkland, jr., Florida Southern. Outfielder: T.J. Greig, sr., Molloy; Cody Kulp, so.,
Shippensburg; Tom Longoni, sr., Upper Iowa; Greg Pron, jr., West Florida. Designated Hitter: Mike
Walczak, sr., Rockhurst. Utility Player: Derek Kline, sr., Millersville; Lucas Wilsing, sr., Upper Iowa.
Pitcher: Colby Betz, sr., Indiana (Pa.); Brodie Brumley, sr., Harding; Kyle Cline, so., Harding; Kevin
Johnson, sr., West Florida; Tommy Kahnle, Lynn; Patrick Lenton, sr., Minnesota State; Jared Loschen, sr.,
Nebraska-Kearney; &Phil Messerian, sr., Felician; Adam Schrader, sr., Southwest Minnesota State; Steven
Stewart, sr., Molloy.
Catcher: Bob Stumpo, sr., West Chester; Marcos Torres, sr., Felician. First Baseman: Ryan Geffert, so.,
Southern Connecticut State; Ryan McCrory, sr., Alabama-Huntsville; Ben Minard, sr., Ashland; Kyle
Orensky, sr., West Chester. Second Baseman: Ryan McCormick, jr., Millersville; Chase Presley, so.,
Harding; Mickey Zudonyi, jr., Felician. Third Baseman: None. Shortstop: Paul Bingham, sr., Indiana
(Pa.); Wade Kirkland, jr., Florida Southern. Outfielder: T.J. Greig, sr., Molloy; Cody Kulp, so.,
Shippensburg; Tom Longoni, sr., Upper Iowa; Greg Pron, jr., West Florida. Designated Hitter: Mike
Walczak, sr., Rockhurst. Utility Player: Derek Kline, sr., Millersville; Lucas Wilsing, sr., Upper Iowa.
Pitcher: Colby Betz, sr., Indiana (Pa.); Brodie Brumley, sr., Harding; Kyle Cline, so., Harding; Kevin
Johnson, sr., West Florida; Tommy Kahnle, Lynn; Patrick Lenton, sr., Minnesota State; Jared Loschen, sr.,
Nebraska-Kearney; &Phil Messerian, sr., Felician; Adam Schrader, sr., Southwest Minnesota State; Steven
Stewart, sr., Molloy.
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