Sept. 9, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Catcher Mark Fleury and right-hander Bryant Gaines earned all-star honors in their respective leagues, and first baseman/outfielder Dustin Ackley and right-hander Matt Harvey were rated among the top three prospects in the Cape Cod League to highlight a successful summer season for the North Carolina baseball program.

In addition to Fleury's all-star selection, he teamed with Ackley and right-hander Patrick Johnson to help lead the Harwich Mariners to the Cape league title. Additionally, assistant coach Matt McCay served as head coach of the Thomasville Hi-Toms and led his squad to the Coastal Plain League crown.

Nineteen Tar Heels were active in wooden bat summer leagues following the 2008 College World Series:

CAPE COD LEAGUE
Dustin Ackley, Harwich Mariners
Played in 12 games for the Cape League champions ... Batted .415 (17-41) with two home runs, four doubles and a triple ... Drive in 12 runs and drew 16 walks ... Rated as the league's No. 2 prospect by Baseball America.

Colin Bates, Hyannis Mets
Made seven starts ... Posted a 2.85 ERA and a 1-3 record ... Worked 41 innings with 37 strikeouts and 20 walks.

Mark Fleury, Harwich Mariners
Played 22 games, mainly at catcher, for the Cape League champions ... Hit .238 (20-84) with two home runs, two doubles and a triple ... Also drove in 14 runs ... Co-winner of the PA SportsTicker Star of Stars Playoff MVP Award after hitting a walk-off bases-loaded single to lift the Mariners to the league title in game two of the championship series ... Also helped lead the East team to an 8-6 comeback win with an eighth-inning home run in the Under Armour Cape Cod League All-Star Game ... Earned Coca-Cola Player of the Week honors July 21 after posting a .462 batting average (12-26) with four extra-base hits, including two home runs, and nine RBI in six games.

Matt Harvey, Chatham A's
Pitched in nine games, making one start ... Logged a 0.83 ERA and a 1-1 record ... Struck out 29 and walked just 11 batters in 21 2/3 innings ... Rated the league's No. 3 prospect by Baseball America.

Patrick Johnson, Harwich Mariners
Pitched in seven games and made four starts for the Cape Cod League champions ... Posted a 1-3 record and a 4.79 ERA ... Struck out 19 and walked eight in 20 2/3 innings.

Kyle Seager, Chatham A's
Played in 30 games at second base and shortstop ... Hit .288 (34-118) and drove in 16 runs and added six doubles and one home run.

Nate Striz, Falmouth Commodores
Pitched in seven games in relief ... Went 2-1 with a 5.63 ERA over eight innings ... Walked three and struck out four.

Adam Warren, Chatham A's
Made five starts and went 3-1 with a 4.34 ERA ... Struck out 28 and walked 14 in 29 innings.

COASTAL PLAIN LEAGUE
Zeke Blanton, Wilson Tobs
Hit .211 (4-19) in six games ... Drove in two runs.

Ben Bunting, Asheboro Copperheads
Hit .243 (26-107) in 29 games, all starts ... Drove in five runs ... Stole seven bases in nine attempts.

Bryant Gaines, Wilmington Sharks
Named to the CPL All-Star Team ... Made nine starts on the summer and went 5-2 with a 1.70 ERA over 68 2/3 innings ... Held opponents to a .199 average ... Walked only 17 and struck out 38 ... Also went 3-for-8 at the plate ... Pitched a scoreless inning in the all-star game and struck out two.

Ryan Graepel, Wilmington Sharks
Hit .247 (22-89) in 26 games, all starts ... Drove in 12 runs and added one home run and one double ... Also earned a save with one scoreless inning of relief on the mound.

Greg Holt, Asheboro Copperheads
Batted .303 (36-109) in 32 games, all starts ... Drove in 22 runs ... Added nine doubles and one triple ... Also pitched five innings with an ERA of 5.40.

Ryan Leach, Forest City Owls
Pitched in six games, making five starts ... Posted a 2-1 record and a 6.51 ERA ... Struck out 11 in 27 2/3 innings.

Mike McKee, Forest City Owls
Hit .270 (10-37) in 11 games, including seven starts ... Tallied four doubles and drove in three runs.

Brian Moran, Wilson Tobs
Pitched in six games, making five starts ... Went 3-1 with one save and a 2.72 ERA in 36 1/3 innings ... Walked just five and struck out 31 ... Started Wilson's only game in the 2008 Petitt Cup Tournament and allowed just two runs over seven innings.

Logan Munson, Florence RedWolves
Went 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA in nine appearances ... Made two starts ... Walked only eight and struck out 13.

Brett Thomas, Florence RedWolves
Hit .250 (13-52) over 21 games, including 15 starts ... Drove in nine runs ... Also made one appearance on the mound, working two-thirds of an inning.

GREAT SOUTH LEAGUE
Tarron Robinson, Florida Legends
Hit .286 (8-28) with two home runs and a double ... Also drove in eight runs.