TicketsMay 21, 2007
BROOKLYN, N.Y.---Led by first team selection Dan Osterbrock, the University of Cincinnati baseball team placed four players on the BIG EAST all-conference teams, revealed Monday night at the league's pre-championship banquet. Three of Osterbrock's teammates, senior Neall French, junior Tony Campana and sophomore Josh Harrison were named to the second team.
Osterbrock (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), just a sophomore, turned in one of the finest seasons ever by a Bearcats pitcher, pacing the BIG EAST in victories during the regular season with nine and also ranking amongst the conference's best in ERA (2.67), strikeouts (82), innings pitched (94.1) and opponents batting average (.223). During conference play, Osterbrock won six straight starts, finishing 6-1 in league play. He becomes the first all-conference first team selection from Cincinnati since 2002.
French (Bay Village, Ohio/St. Ignatius) enjoyed a breakout season after missing all of 2006 with injuries. The senior finished the regular season leading the BIG EAST and ranking fifth on UC's single season RBI list with 65. French was also listed among the league leaders with 11 home runs and a .607 slugging percentage, while leading the team with a .345 batting average. His two best days came with two homers and six RBI at Kentucky and five hits at Rutgers.
Campana (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) was a dominant player from the lead-off spot, stealing a UC single season record 60 bases to rank second in the league. After just one season as a Bearcat, Campana is just one steal shy of matching the school career stolen base record. Campana finished the campaign ranked second on the squad with a .329 batting average and was first with 78 hits. In addition to the season stolen base record, Campana also established a single game mark with six stolen bases during a contest at North Carolina A&T.
Harrison (Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton) is the only two-time all-conference selection among the group, having been tabbed to the All-BIG EAST third team as a freshman. This year, Harrison ranked among the league leaders in multiple offensive categories including runs, doubles, home runs, RBI, total bases and stolen bases. Harrison had the biggest game of his career at Pittsburgh, hitting a pair of home runs and tying a school record with eight RBI. His final 2007 line showed a .327 batting average, a team-high 17 doubles, nine homers, 56 RBI and 21 stolen bases.
The four all-conference selections for the Bearcats were the most since six players earned All-Conference USA honors in 2001.
The Bearcats wrapped up the 2007 season with a 28-28 overall mark and a 10-16 league record. UC tied for ninth in the league standings with West Virginia.