NCCSIA Announces 2006 North Carolina All-State University Baseball Team

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Twelve student-athletes, representing eight different schools, comprise the 2006 North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) University Division All-State Baseball Team released Friday.

The team consists of players from NCAA Division I universities and colleges through out the state. North Carolina sports information professionals submitted nominees and NCCSIA members voted for the all-state teams.

Campbell senior infielder Mike Priest and UNC Wilmington senior outfielder John Raynor were the only repeat winners from the 2005 squad. The 2006 squad also featured a pair of ESPN The Magazine First-team Academic All-America selections in Charlotte senior infielder Mike Ambrose and Priest.

Founded in 2002, The North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) is comprised of sports information professionals from NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA and independent institutions from the state of North Carolina. The purpose of the organization is to promote collegiate athletics at all schools. Membership is open to anyone affiliated with a college, university or conference located in North Carolina, and whose area of responsibility lies within sports information. NCSSIA selects all-state teams for men's and women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, softball and baseball on both the College and University (Division I) levels.

2006 NCCSIA All-State Baseball Team (University Division)

Pos. Name School Class Hometown

SP Matt Chastain Elon Senior Charlotte, N.C.

SP Derek McDaid Charlotte Senior Barrie, Ontario

RP Chad Tilley Elon Senior Charlotte, N.C.

C Chris Hatcher UNC Wilmington Junior Kinston, N.C.

IF Mike Ambrose Charlotte Senior St. Thomas, Ontario

IF Ronnie Shore Davidson Senior Kannapolis, N.C.

IF Charlie Gamble North Carolina A&T Junior Pleasant Garden, N.C.

IF Mike Priest Campbell Senior Vernon Hill, Va.

OF Jermaine Mitchell UNC Greensboro Junior Daingerfield, Texas

OF Mark Shorey High Point Senior Peabody, Mass.

OF John Raynor UNC Wilmington Senior Benson, N.C.

DH Robert Rodebaugh Elon Junior Marietta, Ga.

Elon, which captured the Southern Conference regular season title and made its second NCAA Tournament appearance, placed three individuals on the All-State team. Senior right-hander Matt Chastain headed the Elon pitching staff with a 10-2 mark while tying the school standard with 16 starts. Closer Chad Tilley, a senior, anchored the bullpen with a perfect 5-0 mark and 11 saves while striking out 41 in 43 2/3 innings. Rounding out Elon's representation was junior designated hitter Robert Rodebaugh. Rodebaugh topped the lineup with a .340 batting average while driving in 60 runs on the strength of 21 doubles and 11 home runs. All three were All-SoCon selections.

Charlotte and UNC Wilmington each placed two players on the squad. Seniors Derek McDaid, a pitcher, and Ambrose, helped lead the 49ers to a 35-20-1 mark. McDaid made 16 appearances, including 15 starts, while posting a 9-4 mark and a 2.45 earned run average. Ambrose, a first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection, hit .366 with 51 RBIs while stealing 17 bases in 20 attempts. Junior catcher Chris Hatcher and Raynor guided the Seahawks to their fourth straight 40-win season as UNCW captured its second Colonial Athletic Association title in three seasons and reached the NCAA Tournament for the third time. Hatcher hit .370 and slammed seven home runs on the season. Raynor, meanwhile, topped the club with his .370 batting average and 42 stolen bases, which set a school single season record. Both Hatcher and Raynor were first-team All-CAA picks by the league's coaches.

Five schools each had one player apiece on the All-State team. Davidson senior infielder Ronnie Shore, a first-team All-SoCon honoree, hit .367 and stole 18 bases. Charlie Gamble, a senior All-MEAC infielder from North Carolina A&T, collected 21 doubles while fashioning a .364 batting average. Priest, an ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-American, earned the Camels' triple crown with a .402 batting average, 13 home runs and 53 RBIs. UNC Greensboro junior outfielder Jermaine Mitchell, a first team All-SoCon selection, hit .397 and stole 24 bases. Rounding out the All-State squad was High Point senior outfielder Mark Shorey who earned Big South Conference Co-MVP honors while hitting .408 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs.