Antonelli & Hunter Named Rivals.com All-Americans
6/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 26, 2006
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest closer Ben Hunter and third baseman Matt Antonelli were each recently featured on the 2006 Rivals.com All-America Teams. Hunter was a member of the second team, while Antonelli earned honorable mention status.
Hunter 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.
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.
Hunter will spend the summer playing with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod Baseball League, while Antonelli has already signed with the San Diego Padres and recently made his professional debut for the Eugene Emeralds.
-- WakeForestSports.com --
