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Jackets Ranked No. 18 in Final Baseball Polls

June 30, 2009

ATLANTA – Georgia Tech’s baseball team wrapped up its 2009 season with another NCAA Regional appearance, its 23rd in the last 25 years, and is ranked as high as No. 18 in the year-end polls. Both Collegiate Baseball and the USA Today/Coaches Poll have the Yellow Jackets at No. 18 in the final polls of the season, while the NCBWA and Rivals.com list Tech at No. 19.

Baseball America, which lists Georgia Tech as one of its “Eight for Omaha in 2010” listed the Jackets at No. 20. The national publication lists the pitching depth and powerful returning offense as reasons that Tech could contend for the national title next season. Visit “Eight for Omaha in 2010,” for more details on who else Baseball America thinks will make the College World Series field next season.

In other news, two Yellow Jackets received All-America honors at the conclusion of the season, including 2009 ACC Pitcher of the Year Deck McGuire, who became the 19th player in school history to be named a first-team All-American. Luke Murton, a member of the All-ACC first team in 2009, was tabbed a third-team All-American by the ABCA, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball.

Third baseman Matt Skole, who started all 58 games on the hot corner in 2009, became the 28th Yellow Jacket to earn Freshman All-America accolades. His inclusion on both Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America’s Freshman All-America lists gives Tech three former Freshman All-Americans on the 2010 roster after McGuire and Derek Dietrich received the honor in 2008.

Also receiving national honors was graduating catcher Jason Haniger, who was named to the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award’s All-Senior All-America first team. Haniger was a finalist for the annual award presented to the top senior baseball player in the nation.

Twenty-five members of the 2009 squad are playing summer baseball in various collegiate leagues around the nation, while two have signed professional contracts and are competing in Short-A leagues. Visit Georgia Tech’s “Boys of Summer” and “Alumni in the Pros” pages for daily updates on all current and former Yellow Jackets in baseball.

Final Rankings:Collegiate Baseball - 18USA Today - 18NCBWA - 19Rivals.com - 19Baseball America - 20

All-America Deck McGuire, P – First Team (Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA) Deck McGuire, P – Second Team (Baseball America) Deck McGuire, P – Third Team (ABCA) Luke Murton, OF – Third Team (ABCA, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball)

All-Senior All-America Team (Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award) Jason Haniger, C – First Team

Freshman All-America Matt Skole, 3B – First Team (Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball) Matt Skole, 3B – Second Team (Baseball America)

ABCA All-Atlantic Region Deck McGuire, P – First Team Luke Murton, OF – First Team

All-ACC Deck McGuire, P – First Team Luke Murton, OF – First Team Jeff Rowland, OF – First Team Derek Dietrich, SS – Second Team Tony Plagman, 1B – Second Team

ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Derek Dietrich, SS – First Team

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National AwardsDeck McGuire, P - Finalist, National Pitcher of the YearJason Haniger, C - Finalist, Lowe's Senior CLASS AwardDerek Dietrich, SS - Semifinalist, Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the YearDeck McGuire, P - Semifinalist, Golden Spikes Award

Conference Awards Deck McGuire, P – ACC Pitcher of the Year Jason Haniger, C – ACC Postgraduate Scholarship

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SUMMER BASEBALL ASSIGNMENTS:

USA Baseball 18U National Team Matt White – Pitching Coach

Alaska Baseball League Kevin Jacob, Anchorage Bucs

Cal Ripken Sr. League Jed Bradley, Youse’s Maryland Orioles Connor Winn, Youse’s Maryland Orioles

Cape Cod League Zach Brewster, Wareham Gatemen Brandon Cumpton, Cotuit Kettleers Derek Dietrich, Wareham Gatemen Cole Leonida, Wareham Gatemen Deck McGuire, Orleans Firebirds Tony Plagman, Cotuit Kettleers Mark Pope, Falmouth Commodores Jeff Rowland, Cotuit Kettleers Matt Skole, Falmouth Commodores

Coastal Plain League Jake Davies, Peninsula Pilots Jarrett Didrick, Peninsula Pilots Patrick Long, Peninsula Pilots Evan Martin, Peninsula Pilots

Great South League Andrew Robinson, Newnan Braves

Hamptons Collegiate Baseball Jeff Ussery, Sag Harbor Whalers

Northwoods League Jacob Esch, Madison Mallards

Sunbelt Baseball League Chase Burnette, Atlanta Astros Jordan Carter, Fulton Grizzlies Jay Dantzler, Johns Creek Wood Ducks Matt Simonds, Berkley Lake Tides Taylor Wood, Atlanta Astros

Valley Baseball League Thomas Nichols, Harrisonburg Turks

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