UNCP Trio Named To PBC Baseball All-Academic Team
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Having already put their stamps on the athletic success of the UNCP baseball team this season, Bryan Collins, Josh Haley and Keith Whitman were among 20 student-athletes named to the Peach Belt Conference Baseball All-Academic Team released Monday morning by the league office in Augusta, Ga.
Ten of the league's 12 baseball-playing institutions were represented on the squad, with the Braves joining USC Aiken and Montevallo with a league-best three student-athletes on the squad. Georgia Southwestern, North Georgia, Lander and Francis Marion each had multiple representatives on the team as well.
To be eligible for the All-Academic team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee and select the teams.
Collins, a Lakeview native, maintains a team-best 3.80 cumulative grade point average as an exercise and sports science major at UNCP. On the field this season, he recorded a 3-0 record with a 2.02 ERA in 35-2/3 innings of work while striking out 27 batters and walking just seven. He made 11 appearances on the mound for the Black and Gold and recorded one save while also holding opponents to a .244 batting average.
Haley, a Pinehurst product, currently maintains a 3.30 as an exercise and sports science major at UNCP in addition to excelling on the athletic field as well. The first team ABCA all-region and second team all-PBC selection hit .354 (81-for-229) in 56 starts for the Braves this season and ranked among the top-10 league leaders in 11 different offensive statistical categories, while leading the PBC in total bases (125) and at-bats (229). He also ranked second in the conference in runs scored (61), hits, and total plate appearances (266).
Whitman, an Elkin native boasts a 3.30 cumulative GPA as a biology major at UNCP and finished his playing career as the school's all-time leader in home runs (46). A second team Daktronics all-region and all-PBC honoree, Whitman registered a career- and team-best .366 (67-for-183) batting average this season to go along with 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 46 runs scored. He finished ranked among the top-10 league leaders in nine different offensive statistical categories, while leading the conference in slugging percentage (.645).
2011 Baseball All-Academic Team
| Player |
School |
Year |
Hometown |
GPA |
Major (Minor) |
| Jared Allen | Georgia Southwestern | Sr. | Lyons, Ga. | 3.74 | History Education |
| Kenny Bellavance | North Georgia | Soph. | Stone Mountain, Ga. | 3.92 | Finance |
| Jason Cochroft | USC Aiken | Sr. | Gilbert, S.C. | 3.36 | Business Administration |
| Bryan Collins | UNC Pembroke | Jr. | Lakeview, N.C. | 3.80 | Exercise & Sport Science |
| Josh Dabbs | Montevallo | Sr. | Hueytown, Ala. | 3.63 | Kinesiology (Health Promotion) |
| Ross Davis | Lander | Jr. | Bennington, N.H. | 3.50 | Political Science |
| Austin Dubberly | Montevallo | Soph. | Helena, Ala. | 3.58 | Management |
| Jordan Erisman | North Georgia | Jr. | Lawrenceville, Ga. | 3.75 | Accounting |
| Josh Haley | UNC Pembroke | Jr. | Pinehurst, N.C. | 3.30 | Exercise & Sport Science |
| Josh Headley | Montevallo | Jr. | Gardendale, Ala. | 3.68 | Biochemistry |
| Josh Heath | Armstrong Atlantic State | Sr. | Locust Grove, Ga. | 3.92 | Biology |
| Heath Lock | Georgia Southwestern | Sr. | Dalton, Ga. | 3.61 | Psychology |
| Thomas McLeod | USC Aiken | Jr. | Chapin, S.C. | 3.68 | Exercise & Sport Science |
| Phillip Mozingo | Francis Marion | Sr. | Florence, S.C. | 3.41 | Business Administration |
| A.J. Nunziato | Lander | Jr. | S. Setauket, N.Y. | 3.93 | Exercise Science |
| Brian Satterfield | Columbus State | Sr. | Stockbridge, Ga. | 3.50 | Health & Exercise Science |
| Scott Shipman | Augusta State | Soph. | Waxhaw, N.C. | 3.48 | Kinesiology |
| Preson Shuey |
Francis Marion | Sr. | Charlotte, N.C. |
3.65 | Finance |
| Tripp Warrick | USC Aiken | Soph. | North Augusta, S.C. | 4.00 | Chemistry |
| Keith Whitman | UNC Pembroke | Sr. | Elkin, N.C. | 3.30 | Biology |
Honorable Mention: Brad Hall, North Georgia; Jarrett Hooks, Francis Marion; Ryan Milewski, USC Aiken; Ryan Parson, Georgia College; Jody Sellars, Georgia Southwestern; Michael White, Lander