AD3I Names 2008 All-Independent Baseball Teams

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Three Southern Vermont College baseball players were named to the Association of Division III Independents (AD3I) baseball team.

Freshman catcher Dan Cook (Watervleit, NY/Watervliet) was tabbed to the second team.  Cook, hit .351 on the season with 22 RBIs, both were tops on the team.  He caught every inning of every game and set a school record with 40 hits.

"Dan Cook was a warrior behind the plate for us this year," said head baseball coach Don Schaffer.  "He played way beyond his years.  He was a leader behind the dish and will be a great captain for the next three years."

Also named to the second team was freshman second baseman Dave Gage (Gloversville, NY/Broadalbin).  Gage hit .294 on the year and finished third in the NCAA Division III in hit by pitch per game.  He was hit a school-record 16 times.

"Dave Gage was our leadoff hitter all year and really was our table-setter," said Shaffer.  "He played well defensively, and is an extremely intelligent player who has certainly earned this honor. Dave will be prove to be a tremendous captain for us going forward."

Sophomore transfer Brett Pawlak (Ansonia, CT/Ansonia) was named to the third team.  He was second on the squad with an average of .328 and had 38 hits.  He led the team in stolen bases with 11 and only struck out seven times in 133 plate appearances.  The 27 runs he scored is a school record.

"Brett Pawlak showed range at shortstop that very few college players possess," added Shaffer.  "He came up big for us at the plate all year.  Brett played through two tough injuries that would have sidelined a lesser player, and still excelled. Brett will provide us with a top-shelf shortstop for the next two years."

The players were selected by baseball coaches at member institutions of the Association of Division III Independents.

First Team

Pitcher - Wayde Kitchens, Junior, Chapman University (Oceanside, CA)

Pitcher - Matt Vieira, Senior, California State University, East Bay (Livermore, CA)

Pitcher - Mikael Ryder, Senior, Menlo College (San Mateo, CA)

Pitcher - Zane Cascini, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

First base - (tie)  Patrick Ohail, Junior, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA); and

                           Lamonte Toney, Senior, California State University, East Bay (San Leandro, CA)

Second base - (tie)  Will McLoughlin, Senior, Menlo College (San Bruno, CA); and

                               Kyle Redding, Senior, Chapman University (Moorpark, CA)

Third base - Tristan Phillips, Junior, Chapman University (El Cajon, CA)

Shortstop - Tom Fogerty, Junior, University of Dallas (Parker, CO)

Designated hitter - Stuart Hyman, Senior, Chapman University (Diamond Bar, CA)

Catcher - Fraser Holmes, Senior, University of Dallas (Gran Prairie, TX)

Outfield - Michael Thomasson, Senior, California State University, East Bay (San Leandro, CA)

Outfield - Mike Vass, Senior, Chapman University (Orange, CA)

Outfield - Robert Villante, Freshman, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Queens, NY)

Utility - Kurt Yacko, Junior, Chapman University (Costa Mesa, CA)

Second Team

Pitcher - Cody Hazen, Freshman, California State University, East Bay (San Ramon, CA)

Pitcher - Jason Diemer, Senior, Menlo College (Kirkland, WA)

Pitcher - Scott Crisp, Senior, University of Dallas (Farmers Branch, TX)

First base - Corey Petersen, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Omaha, NE)

Second base - Dave Gage, Freshman, Southern Vermont College (Gloversville, NY)

Third base - Robert McDonald, Senior, Menlo College (Foster City, CA)

Shortstop - TJ Horn, Senior, Lancaster Bible College (Mechanicsburg, PA)

Catcher - Dan Cook, Freshman, Southern Vermont College (Watervleit, NY)

Designated hitter - John Rust, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

Outfield - Ryan Hall, Sophomore, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)

Outfield - William Maddock, Sophomore, Newbury College (Marshfield, MA)

Outfield - Andy McGowan, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

Utility - Tyler Delaney, Sophomore, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada)

Third Team

Pitcher - Philip Carkhuff, Freshman, University of Dallas (Marietta, GA)

Pitcher - Lou Curcio, Sophomore, Lancaster Bible College (Hatfield, PA)

Pitcher - Justin Adams, Freshman, Newbury College (East Providence, RI)

First base - Robert Monderine, Junior, Menlo College (San Clemente, CA)

Second base - Scott Reed, Junior, La Sierra University (Victorville, CA)

Third base - Jacob Haberman, Senior, California State University, East Bay (Santa Clara, CA)

Shortstop - (tie)  Matt Medina, Senior, Menlo College (Sparks, NV); and

                           Brett Pawlak, Sophomore, Southern Vermont College (Ansonia, CT)

Catcher - Marc Tuttle, Senior, California State University, East Bay (Campbell, CA)

Outfield - Jared Meays, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Columbus, NE)

Outfield - Chris Budelli, Senior, Menlo College (Menlo Park, CA)

Outfield - Viron Hackney, Freshman, University of Dallas (The Woodlands, TX)

Designated hitter - (tie)    Evan Hudson, Junior, Newbury College (Sunapee, NH); and

                                       Jon Matzelle, Freshman, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Queens, NY)

Utility - Thomas Gutekunst, Freshman, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 21 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in seven sports in 2007-08.  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 has announced 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.

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