Four Bulldogs Receive All-SoCon Honors

Charleston, S.C.  The 2007 All-Southern Conference Team, as voted on by the league’s coaches, was released today, May 23.  Richard Jones was honored as Freshman of the Year for The Citadel while senior first baseman Zach Brown was tabbed to the first team.  The Bulldogs also placed three players on the second team. 

Jones is the The Citadel’s fourth player to be named Freshman of the Year as Trent Weathers was the most recent, earning the accolade in 2003.  Jones is currently fourth in batting at The Citadel, boasting a .330 average.  The Sumter, S.C. native has launched more home runs in a single-season than any other true freshman in Bulldog history with 13 so far this year, tied for first on the team and eighth in single-season homers.  Jones is currently in five top-10 lists in batting for SoCon games this season, while leading all SoCon batters in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage in SoCon play.  Jones was also recognized as second team All-SoCon as a designated hitter.

Brown earned his first All-SoCon honor as he was named to the first team for his performance at first base this season.  The Greenville, S.C. native boasts a .353 average and is even with Jones leading The Citadel with 13 home runs.  The senior paces the Bulldogs with 19 doubles, 66 runs scored and a .638 slugging percentage.  Brown is in six top-10 lists among all SoCon batters this season and has set numerous career-highs during his senior campaign.  Chip Cannon was the last first baseman that was named All-SoCon for The Citadel in 2004.

Two Bulldog outfielders were tabbed to the second team as junior Chris Swauger and sophomore Sonny Meade each earned the honor.  Swauger and Meade both represented The Citadel on the All-SoCon team last season as well. 

Swauger again leads the Dogs in triples (4) after setting the single-season record with 13 in 2006.  The Tampa, Fla. native is second on the team with 12 round-trippers, the third Bulldog to enter the single-season home run list in 2007, tied for ninth place.  Swauger also entered three career charts at The Citadel this year as he is tied for first in triples (14), fifth for home runs (25) and seventh for total bases (378).

Meade leads The Citadel offense with a .381 batting average this season and 80 hits.  His average is good enough for seventh best amongst all SoCon hitters in 2007 and is second in SoCon games only with a .418 average.  The sophomore also enjoyed a 16-game hitting streak to begin 2007, tied for the seventh longest streak in Bulldog history.  Meade has enjoyed 27 multi-hit performances this season and has hit safely in 41 of 52 games played.

The Bulldogs have not placed four players on the All-SoCon team since 2003.  The most The Citadel has ever had earn the honor is five in 2000.

Coaches All-Southern Conference Team

Player of the Year Kenny Smith (Western Carolina)

Pitcher of the Year Nick Chigges (College of Charleston)

Freshman of the Year Richard Jones (The Citadel)

Coach of the Year John Pawlowski (College of Charleston)

First Team

C- Blake Murphy (Western Carolina)

1B- Zach Brown (The Citadel)

2B- Kenny Smith (Western Carolina)

3B Brandon Waring (Wofford)

SS Oliver Marmol (College of Charleston)

OF Michael Harrington (College of Charleston)

OF Barrett Shaft (Western Carolina)

OF David Rubinstein (Appalachian State)

DH Rob Wilson (Davidson)

SP Nick Chigges (College of Charleston

SP Drew Saberhagen (Western Carolina)

RP Greg Holland (Western Carolina)

Second Team

C Alex Garabedian (College of Charleston)

1B Graham Maiden (College of Charleston)

2B Chris Campbell (College of Charleston)

3B Ben Lasater (College of Charleston)

SS Jason Altenhof (Appalachian State)

OF Chris Swauger (The Citadel)

OF Steven Strausbaugh (Western Carolina)

OF Sonny Meade (The Citadel)

DH Richard Jones (The Citadel)

SP Steven Hensley (Elon)

SP Ryan Falcon (UNC Greensboro)

RP A.J. Battisto (Georgia Southern)