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 Steven Strausbaugh was named first team preseason All-American by the NCBWA. |
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Nov. 15, 2006
Cullowhee, N.C. - Two members of the Western Carolina baseball team, juniors Steven Strausbaugh and Jonathan Greene, have been named to the 2007 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-American team. Strausbaugh (Vencie, Fla.) was a first team selection, while Greene (Boone, N.C.) was tabbed second team.
"This is a great honor for both Steven and Jonathan, as well as our team," said eighth-year head coach Todd Raleigh. "Not only is this a show of respect for the great seasons they both had in the spring and summer, but having two players recognized is quite an accomplishment for any program and a positive representation of our program nationally. I do not put much stock in preseason polls or honors, but at the same time, I am excited about this announcement. However, I will be even more excited if they get the same honor after the upcoming season. Steven and Jonathan have both worked very hard to be where they are at right now and I see no reason that they will not live up to these expectations."
There were additionally a number players listed on the preseason All-American team who the Catamounts will face in 2007, including: Kevin Coughlin (Kentucky, 1st team); Andy D'Alessio (Clemson, 1st team); Robert Rodebaugh (Elon, 1st team); Joshua Fields (Georgia, 1st team); Matt Weiters (Georgia Tech, 2nd team); Ramon Corona (N.C. State, 2nd team); Danny Payne (Georgia Tech, 2nd team); Barry Enright (Pepperdine); Nick Chigges (College of Charleston, 2nd team); Daniel Moskos (Clemson, 2nd team), Collin Cowgill (Kentucky, 3rd team); Greg Dombrowski (Kentucky, 3rd team) and Brett Hunter (Pepperdine, 3rd team).
Strausbaugh hit 17 home runs in 54 games in 2006 with his average of 0.31 home runs per game ranking 23rd nationally. He additionally ranked among the NCAA leaders in RBI (34th), slugging percentage (36th) and runs scored (39th).
In addition to being one of the top power hitters in the nation, Strausbaugh also possesses one of the strongest arms around. Prior to last season, Baseball America listed him as having the best outfield arm in the Southern Conference in its annual preseason publication. He had three assists as a freshman and, despite the preseason publicity in 2006, still threw out five baserunners as a sophomore.
Last season was an eventful one for Strausbaugh. This past summer, he was the starting right fielder for the Cape Cod Baseball League champion Yarmouth-Denis Red Sox. Prior to that, he was tabbed first team All-SoCon and second team All-Atlantic Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association. His honors came on the strength on leading the SoCon in home runs (17), RBI (64) and slugging percentage (.675). Also among the the SoCon leaders, he ranked third in runs (61). Between his RBI and runs scored, he was single-handedly responsible for 2.3 runs per game. Even if counting his home runs just once in that equation (as either just an RBI or a run scored), he was still single-handedly responsible for 2.0 runs per game in 2006.
Jonathan Greene was named second team preseason All-American. |
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Greene, who came to WCU as a catcher and would be asked to play left field as a freshman, was a first team All-SoCon pick at third base after his sophomore season, ranking second in the SoCon in home runs (14) and ninth in RBI (54). He additionally batted .338 with 13 doubles last season. This season, Greene will continue to show his versatility and his willingness to do what is best for the team by possibly seeing action at one of four positions in 2007, including catcher, first base, left field and/or designated hitter.
Greene finished the 2006 season as perhaps the hottest hitter in the nation. In May, he batted .476 (30-for-63) with 12 of those hits going for extra bases, including a team-best seven home runs. He added 14 runs scored in 15 games with a team-best 20 RBI. In addition, Greene only made one error in 46 chances at third. Also during the month, he was named was named Southern Conference Player of the Week and was named one of Collegiate Baseball / Louisville Slugger's National Players of the Week after he batted .722 with five home runs in earning the honors. In four games during that week, he hit at least one home run in each contest as well as having at least three hits in each game. He had at least one hit in 14 of his 15 games played in the month, ending the season with a career-best, 13-game hit streak to see his season batting average rise from .290 to .338. Also, over his final 10 games, he had at least two hits in nine contests.
Despite not knowing where he will play defensively right now, Greene has impressed Major League Baseball scouts with his raw power and ability to "square the ball" with wood bats both in the summer in the Northwoods League and during Western's fall workouts.
Western Carolina will open the 2007 season at High Point on Feb. 13. The Catamounts will stay on the road for three games at Kennesaw State (Feb. 16-18) before playing their home opener versus Connecticut Feb. 23-25.
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