May 20, 2003
A-Sun All-Conference Teams in PDF Format
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MACON, Ga. - Freshman designated hitter Justin Klinger was named to the Atlantic Sun Conference Second and All-Freshmen Teams and Matt Alling earned Atlantic Sun All-Freshmen honors announced by the league office Tuesday. It was the first time since the 2001 season that the Bulldogs had a player selected to either the first or second team postseason All-Conference.
Klinger, a native of Hatfield, Pa. who prepped at North High School, was third on the team hitting .328 as a true freshman and tied for second on the team with six home runs. He knocked in 30 RBIs, which was second on the team. Klinger helped the Bulldogs to the upset win over ranked Alabama with two home runs finishing 3-for-5 with three RBI. He had12 multiple-hit games on the season and seven multiple RBI games on the season.
Alling, a red-shirt freshman who prepped at Vestavia Hills High School, was a solid leadoff batter for the Bulldogs. Alling led the team in walks (15), runs scored (31) and stolen bases (10-12). He was fourth on the team hitting .287 and third in total hits (48). One of his best outings was against UCF when he finished the series 6-for-12 with three runs scored. He also went 6-for-12 with four runs scored against A-Sun regular season champion FAU.
Jacksonville's Chad Hauseman was named the A-Sun Player-of-the-Year after leading the league in hitting (.407) and home runs (16) during his senior season. Fellow JU honoree, Gordie Gronkowski, earned A-Sun Freshman-of-the-Year honors after starting 40 of 42 games for the Dolphins while batting .364 with 34 RBI. Belmont Head Coach Dave Jarvis earned his first A-Sun Coach-of-the-Year honor after the Bruins finished tied for third in the regular season standings to qualify for the A-Sun Championship. Jarvis led his team to the tournament despite being predicted to finish 11th by the league's head coaches in the preseason poll.
