USA South Baseball Awards Announced

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for baseball. A total of 44 student-athletes have been named to the USA South All-Conference team. Christopher Newport University's Trae Bailey has been named the Player of the Year while Ben Moore of N.C. Wesleyan College has been named Pitcher of the Year and his coach, Charlie Long, was named the Coach of the Year. Methodist University teammates Trey Such and Michael Mahaffey were named Rookie of the Year and Rookie Pitcher of the Year, respectfully. Also, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school. All honors were determined by votes from the baseball coach at each institution.

Bailey, a senior from Chesapeake, Virginia, collected his second consecutive USA South Player of the Year award. He batted .404 with 34 runs scored, 29 RBI, six doubles, six home runs and a USA South-best .526 on-base percentage. He led the Captains in several statistical categories including runs scored, RBI, slugging percentage, walks and on-base percentage. The shortstop played and started all 27 games for Christopher Newport this spring. This is Bailey's fourth appearance on the All-Conference Team as he has earned first team honors for the second consecutive spring, second team honors in 2007 and honorable mention accolades in 2006. Finally, Bailey was named USA South Player of Week once this spring.

A senior from Smithfield, North Carolina, Moore posted a 5-1 record with a 5.44 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 49.2 innings pitched this spring. In USA South-only action this season, Moore was a perfect 4-0 with a 4.35 ERA. He also earned First Team All-Conference accolades this spring, his second consecutive such honor. Finally, Moore was named USA South Pitcher of the Week once this spring.

Such, a freshman from Sanford, North Carolina, played a key role in the Monarchs' season as he batted .369 with 31 RBI, 22 runs scored, a team-high 25 walks, 14 stolen bases and five home runs. In ten USA South contests, Such batted .375 with ten RBI, ten runs scored and three home runs. For his efforts, Such received First Team All-Conference honors as a first baseman this season. Finally, Such was named USA South Rookie of the Week twice this spring.

A freshman from Worthington, Ohio, Mahaffey posted a 2-4 record and a 4.56 ERA in 13 appearances, seven of which were starts. He tossed a total of 47.1 innings, allowing 28 walks with 45 strikeouts while opponents hit .254. Additionally, Pike earned USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Week honors twice this spring.

In his 12th season at N.C. Wesleyan, Head Coach Charlie Long collects his second Coach of the Year honor as he last won the award in 1999. Long has led the Bishops to a 20-13 overall record, an 8-4 conference mark and the program's 16th USA South regular season title. The Bishops last earned a championship in 2007 when they shared the honors with Ferrum College and Methodist.

Player of the Year
Trae Bailey - Chris. Newport

Pitcher of the Year
Ben Moore - N.C. Wesleyan

Rookie of the Year
Trey Such - Methodist

Rookie Pitcher of the Year
Michael Mahaffey - Methodist

Coach of the Year
Charlie Long - N.C. Wesleyan

The 2009 USA South All-Conference Baseball Teams follow: