Baseball Awards Announced

April 13, 2005 – The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for baseball.  Methodist led the way with 10 All-Conference members, followed by Christopher Newport with seven.  Greensboro's Larry Lockhart is the Player of the Year, while Methodist's Ryan Brandt is the Pitcher of the Year.  N.C. Wesleyan's Matt Smith has been named the Rookie of the Year and Kenny Moreland from Christopher Newport is the Rookie Pitcher of the Year.  Methodist coach Tom Austin is the 2005 USA South Coach of the Year. 

Lockhart, a senior from Monroe, NC, led the conference in homeruns (5), RBI's (33) and doubles (11). The outfielder batted .369 as he scored 30 runs.  Lockhart had 11 doubles on his way to a .658 slugging percentage. The Pride finished 20-14 overall and 8-7 in the USA South. 

A junior from Durham, NC, Brandt posted a 6-1 record and 77 strikeouts this season.  He was 5-1 in Conference play.   His 1.71 ERA earned him First Team All-Conference honors.  The Monarchs won the regular season with a record of 13-5 in the USA South and 24-9 overall. 

Smith, a freshman from Stedman, NC played a key role in the Bishops finishing fourth in the regular season with a 21-14 overall record and 10-8 in the Conference.  The outfielder hit .384 with 17 RBI's on the year and also scored 18 runs.

A freshman from Springfield, VA, Moreland posted a 6-1 record with 73 strikeouts this season.  He was a perfect 3-0 on the mound in conference action.  He posted a 1.32 ERA in his 10 appearances for the Captains.  Christopher Newport finished 22-13 overall and 10-7 in the USA South on their way to a third place finish.

2005 marks the seventh time Austin has been recognized as the Conference Coach of the Year.  He is in his 25th year at Methodist.  The Monarchs won the regular season title after going 13-5 in the Conference and 24-9 overall.

The 2005 USA South All-Conference Baseball Teams follow:

First Team 1B -  John Corbin, Christopher Newport 2B -  Ricky Medina, Christopher Newport 3B -  Brett Thomas, Ferrum SS -  David Hoffman, Methodist C -    Talyor Kennedy, Greensboro DH - Brad Melton, Christopher Newport Util - Kevin Mong, Greensboro OF - Larry Lockhart, Greensboro          Jonathon Spivey, Methodist          Matt Smith, N.C. Wesleyan P -    Ryan Brandt, Methodist          Blake Rice, N.C. Wesleyan RP - Blake Maxwell, Methodist

Second Team 1B -  Adam Duckett, Shenandoah 2B -  Ryan Snyder, N.C. Wesleyan 3B -  Matt Kleckner, Methodist SS -  Nathan West, N.C. Wesleyan C -    Ben Kaplan, Methodist DH -  Ken Kellum, Averett Util -  Billy Quinn, Methodist OF -  Jeremy Morrison, Greensboro           Matt Hunt, Methodist           Brent Sowers, Ferrum  P -     Kenny Moreland, Christopher Newport           Andrew Keever, Greensboro RP -  Nick Sborz, Shenandoah

Honorable Mention
T.J. Bray, Averett
Kenny Payne, Averett
Mike Cosby, Christopher Newport
Jason Moody, Christopher Newport
Robert Quinn, Christopher Newport
Nick Baker, Ferrum
Ryan Cooper, Ferrum
Jesse Bowles, Ferrum
Brent Justice, Greensboro
Kyle Eudy, Methodist
Casey Varnell, Methodist
Brian Massey, N.C. Wesleyan
Ray'Mon Brizzell, N.C. Wesleyan