Three UD Baseball Players Named AD3I All-Independent
OVERLAND PARK, KS – Chapman University first baseman Matt Luzar and pitcher Brian Rauh earned top honors on the 2010 All-Independent Baseball teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents.
Luzar, a senior from Mission Viejo, Cal., was named the player of the year after an amazing season where he hit a team-leading .400 with 12 home runs and 54 runs batted in. He finished the season with a .710 slugging percentage and a .461 on-base average. A recent selection to ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-District first team, Luzar became an everyday position player this season after being used as a spot starter and reliever last year. His at bats this season were his first as a collegian.
Rauh, a freshman starter/reliever from Lake Forest, Cal., was named pitcher of the year after he went 10-0 with four saves and a 2.42 earned-run average. He appeared in 16 games, including nine starts, three of which were complete games. He allowed only 20 earned runs in 74.1 innings, and he struck out 89 while walking only 19 batters. Rauh ranked fifth in the nation in fewest hits allowed per nine innings (5.57), 12th in strikeouts and 24th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.78).
Chapman, which received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship, placed seven players on the first team and two more on the second team. Menlo College, which improved to a 22-15 record, was led by Head Coach Matt Dailey, who the coaches selected as the recipient of the AD3I coach-of-the-year award for the first time.
Chapman freshman outfielder James Parr was named the rookie of the year. The Irvine, Cal., product hit .379 and slugged .532. He also led Chapman in walks (33) and on-base percentage (.521).
The players were selected by baseball coaches at member institutions of the Association of Division III Independents.
First Team
Pitcher – Brian Rauh, Freshman, Chapman University (Lake Forest, CA)
Pitcher – Adam Koontz, Junior, Menlo College (San Lorenzo, CA)
Pitcher – Brian Priestly, Senior, Menlo College (Simi Valley, CA)
Pitcher – Michael Schweiss, Sophomore, University of Dallas (Parker, CO)
Pitcher – Jordan Sigman, Junior, Chapman University (Santa Monica, CA)
First base – Matt Luzar, Senior, Chapman University (Mission Viejo, CA)
Second base – Tyler Hadzinsky, Sophomore, Chapman University (San Clemente, CA)
Third base – Chris Davidson, Senior, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (San Carlos, CA)
Shortstop – Chris Mazza, Sophomore, Menlo College (Clayton, CA)
Catcher – Joe Lehman, Senior, Chapman University (Los Alamitos, CA)
Designated hitter – Brady Beckman, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Fremont, NE)
Outfield – Kevin Diaz, Sophomore, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Staten Island, NY)
Outfield – Ryan Prechtl, Senior, Chapman University (Los Alamitos, CA)
Outfield – (tie) Joel Hull, Junior, Menlo College (Elk Grove, CA); and Ryan Hall, Senior, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)
Utility – Corey Harding, Junior, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Plymouth, ME)
Second Team
Pitcher – Zane Cascini, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)
Pitcher – Philip Carkhuff, Senior, University of Dallas (Marietta, GA)
Pitcher – Keith Juricich, Senior, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (San Mateo, CA)
Pitcher – Sean Sweeney, Freshman, Menlo College (Sonoma, CA)
First base – Shane Parsons, Senior, Menlo College (Palo Alto, CA)
Second base – C.J. Dailey, Sophomore, Menlo College (Bellevue, WA)
Third base – (tie) Michael Brandi, Freshman, Menlo College (Littleton, CO); and Andy McGowan, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)
Shortstop – Josh Ostrom, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Fremont, NE)
Catcher – Jon Mendez, Sophomore, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)
Designated hitter – Adam Kordich, Junior, Chapman University (Aliso Niguel, CA)
Outfield – Brian Shelburne, Sophomore, University of Dallas (Portsmouth, RI)
Outfield – James Parr, Freshman, Chapman University (Irvine, CA)
Outfield – Tyler Delaney, Senior, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada)
Utility – Alvaro Quinones, Junior, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)
The Association of Division III Independents consists of 14 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition, it will announce All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.
More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org.