Friday, May 30, 2008

BAYLOR BASEBALL ANNOUNCES 2008 TEAM AWARDS

WACO, TEXAS (May 30, 2008) Baylor baseball announced its 2008 team awards Thursday. Sophomore third baseman Shaver Hansen and junior shortstop Beamer Weems were co-winners of the Larry Isbell Most Valuable Player Award. Freshman right-hander Shawn Tolleson earned the Ted Lyons Most Valuable Pitcher Award. Both awards are based upon point totals in key statistical and non-statistical categories.

Hansen also earned the Thornton Sterling Player of the Year Award, which is selected by members of Baylor’s booster club Heart of the Order.

A product of Fruita Monument High School in Grand Junction, Colo., Hansen led the Bears in batting average (.326), hits (72), runs (48), triples (six) and RBI (47). He also was third on the team in doubles (16) and walks (32), tied for the team lead in total bases (118), and was second on the team in slugging percentage (.534) and on base percentage (.413).

Weems, a product of Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va., joined Marty Crawford (1995-1996) as the only Baylor players to win the Larry Isbell Award in consecutive seasons. Arguably the best defensive shortstop in Baylor history, Weems hit .267 with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 10 doubles and five stolen bases. Weems was second on the team in walks (33) and was the only Baylor starter with more walks than strikeouts (29). He also tallied 173 assists, eighth in school history and the most at Baylor without benefit of postseason play.

Tolleson, a redshirt freshman from Allen [Texas] High School, shared the team lead with six victories, becoming the 10th freshman in Baylor history to log at least six wins. He led the Bears in starts (14), innings (78.1), complete games (two) and shutouts (two). Both of his shutouts came in Big 12 play, tossing a two-hit gem against Oklahoma State and a three-hit gem at Kansas State to join Kyle Evans as the only pitchers in Baylor history with two Big 12 shutouts. Tolleson is the first freshman to win the Ted Lyons Award, which has been award every year since 1995.

Senior outfielder Paul Miles was the winner of the Judge Fred “Red” Harris 110 Percent Award, which is selected by a vote of the team members and is given to the individual who best exemplifies leadership, character and a team-first attitude. Miles started 28 games in center field for the Bears and was second on the team in stolen bases, swiping nine bags in as many attempts.

Sophomore catcher Gregg Glime earned the Spring Award for Academic Excellence, given by the coaching staff each semester to a student-athlete who exhibits a high standard of academic excellence as demonstrated by outstanding commitment or performance. Catcher Andrew Cooley, outfielder Chris Slater and pitcher Kendal Volz were so honored during the fall 2007 semester.

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