May 20, 2003
RICHMOND, VA. - Old Dominion University sophomore righthander JustinVerlander (Goochland, VA.) was named first team All-CAA, as selected by the league coaches.
Verlander finished the 2003 season with a 7-6 record and a 2.46 earned run average.He led the CAA and ranked 25th nationally in strikeouts with 139 in 116.1 innings. He average10.78 strikeouts per nine innings.
Verlander broke Kevin Bearse' ('87) single season strikeout mark with 139. Bearse,who is a member of the ODU Sports Hall of Fame and pitched for the Cleveland Indiansin 1990 fanned 138 in 1985. Verlander just missed the record last year with 137 as a freshman.The CAA single season record is 143 set in 2000 by Mike Smith of Richmond.
Verlander fanned ten or more batters six times. His highest was a no decision againstGeorge Mason where he fanned 15 in eight innings. He defeated Vanderbilt, 2-0 and OklahomaState, 2-1 this year, while losing to then 18th ranked Clemson, 2-0.
Eddie Kim of James Madison was named CAA Player of the Year, while Jeff Palumboof George Mason was named CAA Defensive Player of the Year. Rookie of the Year honorswent to William and Mary lefthander, Forrest Cory and VCU head coach Paul Keyes (ODU' 84) was named CAA Coach of the Year.
ALL CAA FIRST TEAMC- Jeff Parrish VCUOF- Jamie HemmingwayUNCW1b-Eddie KimJMUOF- Mike ButiaJMU2b- Nick Jones VCUDH- Mike CostelloTowsonSS- Brian McKennaTowson SP - Justin OrenduffVCU3b- Nick Shimer GMUSP- Justin VerlanderODUOF- Michael BrownW&MRP - Cla MeredithVCU