<font color="maroon"> Ferriss Finalists Announced </font color>

From MSFame.com

News
Ferriss Finalists Announced
By Michael Rubenstein, Executive Director
May 14, 2008, 11:12am

Two junior relief pitchers join a senior catcher as the three finalists for the 2008 Cellular South Ferriss Trophy which awarded annually to Mississippi's top college baseball player.

Listed alphabetically with their most recent statistics available, the three finalists are:

Ole Miss reliever Scott Bittle leads the nation, averaging 16.3 strikeouts per nine innings.

SCOTT BITTLE RHP Ole Miss JR Texarkana, TX SEC strikeouts runner-up (99K’s in 54.2 innings); 5-1 record with 7 saves; opponents hitting .116 against him; second nationally in hits allowed (3.37) and strikeouts recorded per 9 innings (16.33)

USM reliever Tyler Conn leds the nation in saves with 15.

TYLER CONN LHP USM JR. Ocean Springs, MS Reliever who has finished 22 games in 23 appearances; leads NCAA Division 1 with 15 saves; has allowed only 2 earned runs in 29.1 innings with an era of 0.61.

Delta State catcher Rickey Noland is hitting .414 for the Statesmen who share the Number 1 ranking in Divsion II.

RICKEY NOLAND C DSU SR Denham Springs, LA Leads the nationally top-ranked Gulf South Conference Champions with a .414 batting average and 14 hr’s; posted a .715 slugging percentage; struck out only 17 times in 186 at bats; threw out 16 of 21 runners trying to steal on him.

Former Yankees manager and Mississippi State All-American Buck Showalter will present the 2008 Cellular South Ferriss Trophy Monday May 19, 2008 at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson, MS. The three finalists and their coaches will be present along with the award’s namesake, Boston Red Sox and Mississippi Sports Hall of Famer Dave “Boo” Ferriss. Retiring MSU head coach Ron Polk will also be recognized for his contributions to the game.

For ticket information, contact the Museum at 1-800-280-FAME (3263). All proceeds benefit the non-profit Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.

Other players receiving votes listed alphabetically are Greg Alexander/Wm. Carey; Brett Basham/ OM; Brian Bennett/Belhaven; Derrick Camper/JSU; Lance Lynn/OM; Hunter Owen/Millsaps; Corey Overbeck/OM; Enrique Quintero/JSU; Clay Sartain/DSU; Jerome Tyes/JSU; Aaron Weatherford/MSU.