Thursday, May 16, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. – Western Oregon shortstop Blake Miller has been voted the Daktronics NCAA Division II West Region Player of the Year.

Miller led the Wolves to their 12th straight GNAC baseball title this spring.  He finished second in the conference in batting to teammate Daniel McNabb with a .372 average and led the conference in at bats (199), runs (52), hits (74), doubles (18) and stolen bases (22).

McNabb, who was one of five players selected to the second team, hit .376 as a designated hitter. 

Also named to the second team were WOU pitchers AJ Burke and Kody Stone, Central Washington catcher Kyle Sani and Montana State Billings shortstop Colby Robison.

Miller and Robison were both selected to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ NCAA Division II All-West Region first team.

Miller was named the team’s shortstop and Robison was named to the first team as an at-large selection.

Second team honors went to Stone, Sani and McNabb.  Burke and Montana State Billings outfielder Drew Fosnes were honorable mention picks.

Earning American Baseball Coaches Association first team all-region honors were Miller and Sani.  Robison, McNabb and outfielder Matt Nylen of Western Oregon were second team picks.

Daktronics:  First Team – Blake Miller, WOU (SS, 6-2, 195, Sr., Salem, OR).   Second Team – AJ Burke, WOU (P, 6-3, 210, Sr., Hillsboro, OR); Kody Stone, WOU (RP, 5-11, 200, Jr., Tacoma, WA); Kyle Sani, CWU (C, 6-1, 240, Sr., Kennewick, WA); Colby Robison, MSUB (SS, 6-1, 195, Sr., Rexburg, ID); Daniel McNabb, WOU (DH, 5-9, 175, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, CA).  Player of the Year – Blake Miller, WOU (SS, 6-2, 195, Sr., Salem, OR).  

NCBWA: First Team – Blake Miller, WOU (SS, 6-2, 195, Sr., Salem, OR); Colby Robison, MSUB (IF, 6-1, 195, Sr., Rexburg, ID).    Second Team – Kody Stone, WOU (RP, 5-11, 200, Jr., Tacoma, WA); Kyle Sani, CWU (C, 6-1, 240, Sr., Kennewick, WA); Daniel McNabb, WOU (DH, 5-9, 175, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, CA).  Honorable Mention - AJ Burke, WOU (P, 6-3, 210, Sr., Hillsboro, OR); Drew Fosnes, MSUB (OF, 6-0, 195, Jr., Woodinville, WA).

ABCA: First Team - Blake Miller, WOU (SS, 6-2, 195, Sr., Salem, OR); Kyle Sani, CWU (C, 6-1, 240, Sr., Kennewick, WA). Second Team -  Colby Robison, MSUB (SS, 6-1, 195, Sr., Rexburg, ID); Matt Nylen WOU (OF, 6-2, 205, Sr., Damascus, OR); Daniel McNabb, WOU (DH, 5-9, 175, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, CA).