FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 28, 2008

CONTACT: Ted Breidenthal 816/474-7264, ext. 119 tbreidenthal@d3independents.org www.d3independents.org

 Association of Division III Independents
Names 2008 All-Independent Baseball Teams

 

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- The Chapman University baseball team, which was ranked No. 1 the last 10 weeks of the season and finished sixth at the NCAA Division III World Series, placed seven players on the first team of the 2008 All-Independent Baseball teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents. 

 

For the second year in a row, Kurt Yacko, a junior from Costa Mesa, CA, was named the player of the year after he hit .344 with 10 home runs and 47 runs batted in.  Yacko also led all of Division III in earned-run average (0.57) and saves (15).  He was 6-0 and had 71 strikeouts in 61 innings. Just yesterday, Yacko was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-America first team.    

 

Wayde Kitchens, a junior righthander from Oceanside, CA, was named the pitcher of the year after posting a 9-0 record with a 1.10 ERA and three shutouts.  He also was named to the ABCA All-American first team.  Despite missing most of the first six weeks of the season with a shoulder injury, Kitchens finished with a fury as he recorded 70 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings and ranked in the top five in earned-run average.  Kitchens finest moment came earlier in the season when he fanned a school-record 17 in a game against Dallas. 

 

Chapman, which finished the season with a 40-5 record, also placed the following players on the first team: first baseman Patrick Ohail; second baseman Kyle Redding; third baseman Tristan Phillips; designated hitter Stuart Hyman; and outfielder Mike Vass.  In addition, Chapman head coach Tom Tereschuk was named the coach of the year for the third straight year.  He shared the honor this year with Newbury College head coach Greg Sullivan.    

 

Robert Villante, an freshman outfielder from St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn), was named the rookie of the year after he hit .460 and slugged .644.  His on-base percentage (.548) led all AD3I schools. 

 

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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