TicketsMay 22, 2006
CLEARWATER, Fla.---Three University of Cincinnati standouts earned all-conference honors as the BIG EAST officially opened the 2006 conference tournament on Monday night. Freshman pitching ace Steve Blevins was named to the second team, while senior Logan Parker and freshman Josh Harrison each garnered third team accolades.
Blevins (Louisa, Ky./Lawrence County) tied for first in the BIG EAST during the regular season with nine wins, including six in conference play. The right-hander had an overall ERA of 5.07, but an even more impressive 3.90 ERA in league action. Blevins was twice named conference pitcher of the week on the heels of complete game shutouts against Louisville (4/28) and St. John's (5/20).
Parker (Odessa, Texas/Permian) had a monster offensive season, leading the BIG EAST in RBI (67), triples (seven) and walks (54). He was also among the league leaders in total bases, runs, doubles, home runs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Parker finished the regular season with a .349 batting average, along with 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 13 stolen bases.
Harrison (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) enters the BIG EAST Tournament with a team-best .365 average. In his first year as a Bearcat, Harrison also paced UC in runs (65) and hits (81), while adding 13 doubles, five home runs and 42 RBI. In the field, Harrison drew starts at second base, third base, shortstop, catcher and his primary spot, the outfield. He comes into the tournament riding a career-best 13-game hitting streak.
The seventh-seeded Bearcats open their first-ever BIG EAST Tournament on Tuesday, battling No. 2 seed Connecticut. Game time from Bright House Networks Field is set for 1 p.m.