June 8, 2011

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TUCSON, Ariz. – Bethune-Cookman's post-season honors took off on Wednesday with RHP Scott Garner being named to the 2011 Louisville Slugger Division I Freshmen All-American team.

“All the credit goes to Scott,” said Head Coach Mervyl Melendez. “He's done an amazing job for us, especially as a freshman. He was very steady throughout the entire year, wining nine games for us; an accomplishment on its own. We're looking for him to continue what he has started as a freshman, and have great years for this program.”

In mid-May, Garner earned a first-ever honor, as he was dubbed both the MEAC Pitcher and Rookie of the Year. The rookie from nearby Port Orange aided in taking the Wildcats to their sixth consecutive MEAC Championship and NCAA Regional bid, picking up five of his wins over conference opponents. B-CU went a perfect 18-0 in MEAC play for the second straight year, and maintains a 46-game win streak over conference opponents.

“I'm extremely blessed,” said Garner of his selection to the team. “Every player in college baseball wants this type of honor, and I'm really excited to receive it. The team and the coaches combined made for a great year. It was really easy to relax and play with everyone working hard.”

The Wildcats wrapped up the season with a record of 36-25, rounding out the year with a tight 6-5 loss to Regional host Florida State in Tallahassee, which Garner started (no decision) and a loss to UCF.

Garner was 9-2 in 2011 with a 2.48 ERA, striking out 50 batters in 83.1 innings. Garner only allowed 32 hits and just 23 extra base hits in the entire season.

Garner's honor is the first for Bethune-Cookman since Peter O'Brien and Ali Simpson were both named to the Freshman All-America team in 2009.

A total of three players from the Mid-Eastern Conference were named to this year's Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team. Joining Garner on the squad are Norfolk State's Ryan Van Assche and Luke Tendler of North Carolina A&T.

The 2011 Louisville Slugger Division I Freshmen All-American team:

Freshman Pitcher of The Year - RHP Corey Knebel of Texas

Freshman Player of The Year - OF Daniel Aldrich, College of Charleston

Starting Pitchers

RHP Tyler Barnette, Charlotte

RHP Adam Plutko, UCLA

RHP Karsten Whitson, Florida

RHP Alex Gonzalez, Oral Roberts

RHP Scott Garner, Bethune-Cookman

RHP Justin Hageman, Western Kentucky

RHP Austin Kubitza, Rice

RHP Zack Weiss, UCLA

RHP Brandon McNitt, Stony Brook

RHP Chris Pike, Fordham

RHP Desmond Poulson, Brigham Young

RHP Nick Petree, Missouri State

RHP Tyler Moore, North Florida

RHP Shaun Coughlin, Maine

LHP Dylan Stuart, U.C. Riverside

LHP Nick Leiningen, Sacred Heart

RHP Alex Facundus, Tulane

LHP Dillon Overton, Oklahoma

LHP Cole Swanson, San Diego State

LHP Joey DeNato, Indiana

Relief Pitchers

Corey Knebel, Texas

Andrew Mitchell, Texas Christian

Stefan Crichton, Texas Christian

Kolton Mahoney, Brigham Young

Kyle Porter, California

Andrew McGee, Monmouth

Barrett Astin, Arkansas

Zack Hartman, UNLV

C.K. Irby, Samford

Cale Elam, Wichita State

Nolan Sanburn, Arkansas

Chris Anderson, Jacksonville

Dylan Stuart, U.C. Riverside

Jonathan Reich, Fordham

Tim Swatek, Fordham

Paul Paez, San Diego

Ryan Van Assche, Norfolk State

Tyler Dray, Southern Illinois

 

Catchers

Brad Zebedis, Presbyterian

Jared Bales, Southern Mississippi

First Basemen

Brian Ragira, Stanford

Trey Mancini, Notre Dame

1B/OF Chris Marconcini, Duke

Second Basemen

Shane Kennedy, North Florida

Troy Black, Maine

JaCoby Jones, Louisiana State

Jordan Hankins, Austin Peay

Oscar Sanay, Cal. St. Bakersfield

Sebastian Gomez, Elon

Third Basemen

Kris Bryant, San Diego

D.J. Peterson, New Mexico

Colin Moran, North Carolina

Dominic Ficociello, Arkansas

Erich Weiss, Texas

Alex Calbick, Maine

Bryan Soloman, Eastern Kentucky

Coty Blanchard, Jacksonville State

Dustin DeMuth, Indiana

Kyle DeMerritt, Santa Clara

Trey Nielsen, Utah

T.J. Bennett, Oral Roberts

Shortstops

Luke Tendler, North Carolina A&T

Ryan Gebhardt, Louisiana Tech

Outfielders

Daniel Aldrich, College of Charleston

Kyle Wren, Georgia Tech

Michael Lorenzen, Cal. St. Fullerton

 Johnny Field, Arizona

Tony Kemp, Vanderbilt

Jaycob Brugman, Brigham Young

Krey Bratsen, Texas A&M

Jonathan Davis, Central Arkansas

C.T. Bradford, Mississippi State

Ryan Walker, Texas-Arlington

Aaron Barbosa, Northeastern

Aaron Judge, Fresno State

Michael O'Neill, Michigan

Alex Bacon, North Florida

Bill Bereszniewicz, Binghamton

Bill Cullen, Virginia Commonwealth

Cody Smith, San Diego State

Turner Gill, Portland

Tyson Weber, Southern Utah

Derrick Workman, Mercer

Devin Caldwell, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville

Forrest Brandt, Davidson

Jared King, Kansas State

Mike Gerber, Creighton

Nick Crescenzo, Rider

Pete Rajkovich, Centenary

Phillip Ervin, Samford

Riley Good, Texas-San Antonio

Taylor Cato, Navy

Designated Hitters

Phil Sorensen, Tennessee-Martin

Conrad Gregor, Vanderbilt

Jeff Zimmerman, Northern Illinois

Joey Burney, Old Dominion

Justin Glass, Cincinnati

Kavin Keyes, Oregon State

Ty McFarland, James Madison

 

Multiple Position Athletes

Josh Dezse, Ohio State

 Marco Gonzales, Gonzaga

David Paiz, Texas Tech

Desmond Russell, Jackson State

Mike Ford, Princeton

 

 

 

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