Matt Antonelli & Ben Hunter Named ABCA All-Atlantic Region
6/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 14, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Wake Forest third baseman Matt Antonelli and closer Ben Hunter were each named American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Atlantic Region on Wednesday. Antonelli, a recent first round draft choice of the San Diego Padres, was the first team selection at third base, while Hunter was the second team relief pitcher.
Antonelli, a first team All-ACC selection in 2006, batted .333 with 11 home runs, 38 RBI and 15 stolen bases this spring. The Peabody, Mass. native also recorded team-highs in runs scored (64), hits (73) and doubles (18). Antonelli ranked in the ACC's top 10 in runs scored (4th), home runs (t-8th), doubles (5th), total bases (6th), walks (8th) and slugging percentage (10th). He also ranked 28th in the NCAA in runs scored.
In three seasons at Wake Forest, Antonelli started all 163 games the Demon Deacons played. He finished his career with a .324 batting average, 18 home runs and 110 RBI. Antonelli swiped 46 career bases and set a new school record with 128 career walks -- surpassing Jamie D'Antona's previous mark of 113. He also finished sixth on Wake's all-time runs scored list with 183. Antonelli stands among the top 10 in three different single-season categories. In 2005, he not only set a school record with 57 walks, but also scored 68 runs (t-10th) and registered 22 doubles (t-8th).
Hunter, already named Collegiate Baseball third team All-American, went 1-2 with a 1.47 earned run average and 14 saves over 33 relief appearances in 2006. The 14 saves and 11.54 strikeouts per nine innings not only led the ACC, but also ranks sixth and 10th in those same categories nationally. Hunter is second in the ACC in ERA (fifth in the NCAA) and third in opponents batting average of .193.
The Cincinnati, Ohio native was 14-for-15 in save opportunities this season. Hunter struck out a team-best 70 and walked just 17 in 55.0 innings of work. He opened the year with 26.2 consecutive scoreless innings and did not allow an earned run in ACC action until April 14 -- ending a scoreless streak of 15.2 innings in league games. The 14 saves are the most for a Wake Forest pitcher since former All-American Dave Bush had 16 in 2001 and ranks tied for the second-most in single-season school history.
-- WakeForestSports.com --
