June 2, 2006

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest sophomore closer Ben Hunter was named to the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I All-American baseball team, as announced by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Hunter, one of only three relief pitchers on any of the squads, earned third team.

Hunter went 1-2 with a 1.47 earned run average and 14 saves over 33 relief appearances in 2006. The 14 saves and 11.54 strikeouts per nine innings not only led the ACC, but also ranks sixth and 10th in those same categories nationally. Hunter is second in the ACC in ERA (fifth in the NCAA) and third in opponents batting average of .193. The Cincinnati, Ohio native was 14-for-15 in save opportunities this season. Hunter struck out a team-best 70 and walked just 17 in 55.0 innings of work. He opened the year with 26.2 consecutive scoreless innings and did not allow an earned run in ACC action until April 14 -- ending a scoreless streak of 15.2 innings in league games. The 14 saves are the most for a Wake Forest pitcher since former All-American Dave Bush had 16 in 2001 and ranks tied for the second-most in single-season school history.

Hunter becomes the 26th Demon Deacon to earn All-America honors and first since 2003 when Jamie D'Antona and Kyle Sleeth each earned the honor.

Collegiate Baseball is the first of several publications to announce its All-America teams. Later this summer, Baseball America, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), USA Today Sports Weekly and the American Baseball Coaches Association will release their All-America teams.

-- WakeForestSports.com --