Slugger is Named Conference Player of the Year

UT Dallas senior Cody Ross, whose .439 batting average led the Comets to a 28-18 season, has been named the conference’s Player of the Year.

The third baseman was also one of three Comets to earn first-team All-American Southwest Conference East Division honors for 2008-09.

Ross finished the season with 87 hits, 39 of which were for extra bases. His performance at the plate drove in 67 runs.

Ross was joined on the ASC All-East Division first-team squad by senior outfielder Jared Smith and designated hitter Neal Gordon.

Smith finished his UT Dallas career setting new single-season and career records for home runs after knocking 23 in 2009, tops in the national NCAA Division III statistical standings. Gordon, a senior outfielder, was injured a portion of the season but still finished the year hitting .331 with 10 extra-base hits.

UT Dallas senior outfielder Jake Eisman was also honored with the ASC East Division Sportsmanship Award, sharing that honor with UT Tyler outfielder Kendall Fox.

UTD had three baseball players named to the All-ASC East Division second team:

• Catcher Adam Hudec, a junior who hit .396 with 17 extra-base hits.
• Freshman shortstop Jacob Starnes, who finished his first collegiate season hitting .320 with 10 extra-base hits.
• Junior pitcher Adam Spinn, who was one of the most effective relievers in the league, posting six saves with a team-best 2.96 ERA during the regular season.

Four Comets won ASC East Division honorable mention recognition. They were:

• Chris Biguenet, a senior second baseman who finished the year with 12 home runs.
• Senior outfielder Eisman, with a batting average of .327.
• Drew Waggoner and Damion Chelakis, both senior pitchers.
• Designated hitter Gordon in recognition of his performance as a utility player.

---