Close Named Freshman of the Year

Close Named Freshman of the Year#391319

By tennisfan - May 21st, 2012, 7:41 pm

- May 21st, 2012, 7:41 pm #391319

Congrats to Alex!!! What an Amazing Freshman Year!!!!!

Congrats also to Bryan Aanderud, Zack Haley, John Niggli and Ian Parmley!!!

Liberty first baseman Alex Close was named the 2012 Big South Freshman of the Year, while four other Flames, second baseman Bryan Aanderud, shortstop Zack Haley, pitcher John Niggli and outfielder Ian Parmley, were selected to all-conference teams. The honors were announced Monday evening at a ceremony at High Point University, the site of the 2012 Big South Baseball Championship.

Close becomes the third Liberty freshman to be selected as the conference's Freshman of the Year, joining outfielder Keith Butler (2000) and pitcher Tim Harrell (1995). The Hoover, Ala., native leads the Big South with 12 home runs. The home run total ties Pat Sipe's 1983 total for the most by a freshman in a season in program history. His round tripper total is the ninth most in a single season in Liberty history.

In 48 games this season, Close has posted a .298 batting average with 42 RBIs and 32 runs scored. He ranks seventh in the Big South in RBIs and fifth with a .550 slugging percentage. He has collected eight doubles and two triples to go along with his 12 home runs. Close has 12 multiple-RBI games, including four four-RBI games.

Full Story: http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm? ... ewsID=9094