May 23, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford head baseball coach Casey Dunn was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Coach of the Year, and junior pitcher Josh Ehmke was named the conference's Pitcher of the Year when the league announced its postseason awards Tuesday night.

"These awards just add to a great season for Samford baseball," Dunn said. "To have Josh recognized as Pitcher of the Year, and then with all the guys being named to the All-Conference team speaks volumes to the year we've had. Being Coach of the Year reflects a lot on the kids, the assistant coaches and the program."

In just his second season as head coach, Dunn has led Samford to the most overall wins in Samford history (32), the most conference wins in OVC history (21) and the program's first Division I conference championship.

Ehmke has posted a 10-2 overall record with a 2.92 ERA this season, and he has set a new Samford record for strikeouts with 121. In conference games, Ehmke had a record of 8-0 with a 2.64 ERA.

Josh Ehmke was named the OVC's Pitcher of the Year.

Samford also had four players on the first team All-Conference team and one on the league's second team. The four members on the first team were Ehmke, Parker Gargis (3B), Michael Marseco (SS) and Joseph Edens (relief pitcher). Designated hitter Garrett Rice was named to the second team.

Gargis leads Samford in batting average (.398), hits (74), doubles (14) and RBI (48). In conference games, Gargis is batting .426, the highest average in the league. He also has eight doubles and 24 RBI in OVC games.

Marseco has started every game at shortstop as a freshman. He has a batting average of .286 with 11 doubles, four triples and 24 RBI. In conference games, Marseco is batting .333, the third-highest average on the team.

Edens set a Samford career record with 11 saves, all coming this season. Six of his saves have come in conference games. Edens has an ERA of 1.69 and a record of 2-0.

Rice is batting .303 this season with a team-high seven home runs and 32 RBI. Rice hit .323 with 18 RBI in conference games this season.

Marseco and pitcher David Knapp were also named to the league's All-Freshman Team. Knapp has posted a record of 6-4 with a 3.69. Knapp is second on the team with 71 strikeouts.

FIRST TEAM ALL-OVC
C - Levi Olson, Southeast Missouri
1B - Charlie Yarbrough, Eastern Kentucky
2B - Omar Padilla, Southeast Missouri
SS - Michael Marseco, Samford
3B - Parker Gargis, Samford
OF - Mark Chagnon, Eastern Illinois
OF - Nick Cleckler, Jacksonville State
OF - Brett Bolger, Eastern Kentucky
UT - Ryan Gilboy, Austin Peay
DH - Chris O'Dell, Eastern Kentucky
SP - Josh Ehmke, Samford
SP - Christian Friedrich, Eastern Kentucky
RP - Joseph Edens, Samford

SECOND TEAM ALL-OVC
C - Richard Turner, Jacksonville State
1B - Erik Huber, Eastern Illinois
2B - Bert Smith, Jacksonville State
2B - Seth Hudson, Murray State
SS - Adam Varrassi, Eastern Illinois
3B - Jake Ball, Jacksonville State
OF - Cody Youngblood, Austin Peay
OF - Ryan Kane, Austin Peay
OF - Clay Whittemore, Jacksonville State
UT - Eric Beck, Jacksonville State
DH - Garrett Rice, Samford
SP - Donovan Hand, Jacksonville State
SP - Rowdy Hardy, Austin Peay
RP - Brad Daniel, Austin Peay

2006 OVC ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Christian Friedrich, Eastern Kentucky
Ryan Gilboy, Austin Peay
Michael Marseco, Samford
Bert Smith, Jacksonville State
Brett Nommensen, Eastern Illinois
David Knapp, Samford
Eric Hash, Eastern Kentucky
Tyler Owen, Murray State
Andrew Graham, Southeast Missouri
Aaron Barrows, Eastern Kentucky
Stuart Meinhart, Tennessee Tech
Aaron Rave, Southeast Missouri
Eric Walker, UT Martin

Player of the Year: Charlie Yarbrough, Eastern Kentucky
Pitcher of the Year: Josh Ehmke, Samford
Freshman of the Year: Christian Friedrich, Eastern Kentucky
Coach of the Year: Casey Dunn, Samford