May 14, 2008

Norfolk, Va. - Bethune-Cookman University took three end-of-year Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) baseball awards handed out on Wednesday night by the conference office on the campus of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va.

B-CU swept the Player, Pitcher and Coach of the Year honors. Senior shortstop José Lozada earned Player of the Year honors; junior Hiram Burgos picked up Pitcher of the Year awards; and head coach Mervyl Melendez collected his third consecutive Coach of the Year award. Florida A&M infielder Tim Jones was named Rookie of the Year. All awards are voted on by the league's head baseball coaches and sports information directors.

Lozada led the league and ranked 34th in the nation with a .409 batting average in 53 games. He also led the league in triples (7) and ranked sixth in the NCAA. Lozada was among the top five in the MEAC in 19 statistical categories including slugging percentage (.653), runs scored (54), hits (79), RBIs (52), doubles (15), walks (31) and total plate appearances (234).

Burgos pitched 70.0 innings and notched eight wins from the mound. He led the MEAC and ranked third in the nation with a 1.29 ERA. Burgos started in 11 games, striking out 62 batters while allowing only 21 walks. He earned MEAC Pitcher of the Week honors twice this season and is currently positioned on the Roger Clemens award watch list. The Roger Clemens award honors the top pitcher in Division I college baseball.

Jones batted .344 in 128 at bats during his rookie campaign. He started in 33 games for the Rattlers and tallied five home runs, one triple, 10 doubles and 29 RBI. In his one pitching outing this season, he pitched a complete game and struck out 10 batters. As an All-MEAC first-team selection, Jones posted 244 putouts and 15 assists at the first base position.

Melendez collects his third consecutive MEAC Coach of the Year honor and fifth overall. In his ninth season at the helm, his team posted a 17-1 record in conference play and 33-20 mark overall. Under his guidance, the Wildcats have won 10 of the last 12 MEAC crowns and produced five MEAC Players of the Year, two MEAC Pitchers of the Year and one MEAC Rookie of the Year.

Bethune-Cookman led league honors with eight student-athletes named to the all-conference first and second teams. North Carolina A&T and Delaware State had five players while Norfolk State had four players listed. Florida A&M finished with three and Coppin State had one player earn all-conference accolades.

The 2008 MEAC Baseball Championship Tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 15 at the Marty L. Miller Field on the campus of Norfolk State University with Bethune-Cookman against Maryland Eastern Shore in game one. North Carolina A&T drew Norfolk State in game two at 2 p.m. while Florida A&M will take on Delaware State in game three beginning at 6 p.m. The championship game is set for Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m.