June 2, 2006

BUIES CREEK, NC- Carlos Gutierrez has garnered another post season accolade as he has been named to the 2006 North Carolina All-State College Division Baseball Team.

The team consists of players from NCAA Division II and Division III colleges and universities throughout the state. North Carolina sports information professionals submitted nominees. NCCSIA members voted for the all-state teams. The team consists of two starting pitchers, one relief pitcher, one catcher, four infielders, three outfielders and one designated hitter. All players involved with ties in the voting process are also included on the all-state squad.

This past season was a remarkable one for Gutierrez as he led NCAA Division II in batting average and slugging percentage. His 2006 home run total of 15 ranked second in the nation in addition to setting a new school record for long balls in a season. He earned back-to-back Player of the Year honors after dominating the CIAA ranks finishing first in runs scored, hits, RBI, home runs and total bases. He also finished 2006 with a .548 batting average, a single season record for the Viking baseball record books.

A native of Bronx, NY, Gutierrez became the second player in school history to ink a deal with a Major League Baseball team when he signed last month with the Vancouver Canadians, a Class A extension of the Oakland Athletics. In 2005 he helped lead the Vikings to their first ever CIAA Baseball Championship. Additionally he is the only player from the CIAA selected as an All-State honoree.

For more information on ECSU Athletics, visit www.ecsuvikings.com.