Jun 2, 2009

2009 NEIBA College Baseball All-Star Game Rosters Released

MEDFORD, Mass. - Four Little East Conference student-athletes have earned a roster spot on the 35th Annual New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) New England College Baseball All-Star Game scheduled for 7 p.m. on June 4 at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton, Mass. Shawn Gilblair (Windham, Conn.) of Eastern Connecticut State University while be joined by his University of Southern Maine peers Chris Burleson (Portland, Maine), Anthony D'Alfonso (Westbrook, Maine), and Tim Therrian (New Portland, Maine) to represent the Little East Conference. Huskies' Head Coach Ed Flaherty will serve as one of two coaches for the College Division Team.

The New England College Baseball All-Star Game showcases the NCAA Division I All-New England first and second team selections against the NCAA Division II and III All-New England first and second team picks. According to NCAA regulations, only seniors are allowed to participate in the all-star festivities.  The University team (Division I) leads the all-time series 21-11-1, but the College team (Division II and III) has won the past two contests.

A pair of Little East coaches will be honored during a pre-game ceremony for their integrity and dedication to the game. Dennis McManus of Plymouth State University and Barry Rosen of Saint Anselm College will be presented with the Jack Butterfield Award, while Eastern Connecticut associate head coach Bob Wojick will also be honored with the Kevin Burr Award.  

The Warriors will also receive a trophy as the top-ranked team in the final NEIBA New England Division III Coaches' Poll, conducted prior to the NCAA tournament. Boston College will receive the Division I award and Franklin Pierce College the Division II trophy.

Gilblair was recently named the America Baseball Coaches' Association (ABCA) Player of the Year for the second time in his career, and earned his third All-America, first-team selection. The NEIBA Division III Player of the Year started all 45 games in which he appeared this year and batted over .400 (.402) for the second straight season. Gilblair totaled career-highs in hits (70), doubles (21/one shy of the season record), total bases (118), RBI (68), and runs (51), while also hitting nine home runs. As a left-handed pitcher, he was 8-1 with a 2.71 ERA which topped the Eastern Connecticut staff. He fanned 99 batters and walked only 12, opponents hitting .212 against him.

After being named most outstanding player of the Little East Conference Championship for the third time in his career, Gilblair was named to the NCAA New England Regional All-Tournament team. In the regional tournament, he was 9-for-24 (.375) with three doubles, a home run and a team-leading seven RBI, handled 32 chances at first base without an error, and pitched a complete-game five-hitter against conference rival University of Southern Maine in the second round.

D'Alfonso recently made his second straight appearance on the ABCA All-America teams, earning third team honors. The Westbrook, Maine product also named the 2009 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Player of the Year and the Little East Conference Player of the Year, while being recognized as a NEIBA All-New England first-team selection and Little East All-Conference pick as an outfielder. The left-handed hitting D'Alfonso led the Huskies' offense batting .438 (77 for 176) with 52 runs scored, 17 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and a single-season record 76 RBI. He also compiled a .722 slugging percentage and a .519 on-base percentage.

Burleson finished the season batting .390 (64 for 164) with 69 runs scored, 10 doubles, three triples, eight homers, 39 RBI and a team-high 27 stolen bases. Along with 44 walks and nine times hit by pitch, the native of Portland, Maine had a .539 on-base percentage. He was voted as the 2008 Little East Conference Player of the Year, and a two-time all-conference, first-team shortstop.

A four-year standout for the Huskies, Burleson finished his career batting .350 (221 for 631) with a school record 214 runs scored, 39 doubles, 12 triples, 25 home runs, 139 RBI and 72 stolen bases. He also has the school record for career walks (151).

The Little East Conference Pitcher of the Year and first team all-conference selection, Therrian compiled a 9-1 record with a 3.86 ERA. The 6-foot-4 right-hander made 12 appearances, including 10 starts, covering 72.1 innings. He allowed 81 hits, 16 walks and 35 runs (31 earned) while fanning a staff high 58. Therrian had two complete games, including a 3-0 shutout of Rhode Island College on April 25.

The Huskies one time closer, Therrian emerged in 2008 as a front-line starter. He finished his career with a 16-6 record with seven saves and a 4.34 ERA. He pitched 180.1 innings allowing 198 hits and 60 walks while striking out 134.  

General admission tickets for the game can be purchased for $5 at the gate on the day of the game or in advance at http://www.brocktonrox.com/. The rain date for the all-star game is June 5 at 7 p.m.