June 5, 2009
Complete Independent All-Academic Team (PDF)
FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University senior
John Walker II/Alexandria (West Potomac), along with juniors
Phil Cerreto/Midlothian (Midlothian) and
David Smiy Jr./Chesterfield (Motoaca) have each garnered 2009 Independent Baseball All-Academic Team honors. Each of the 16 Independent schools could submit up to three student-athletes that met the CoSIDA Academic All-America® program’s criteria of maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average, being at least a sophomore in academic standing, and being a starter or key reserve for their respective baseball programs. A total of 39 student-athletes have been recognized for their respective academic and athletic accomplishments.
Walker earned this academic honor for the third year in a row as he has attained a 3.45 GPA while majoring in athletic training. A right-handed pitcher, he started a team-best 11 of 13 games with a team-best five complete games while 5-4 on the mound with a 5.23 ERA and one shutout through a team-best 72.1 innings with 39 strikeouts and only seven walks (0.87) -- which ranks fourth-best in Division I. Walker also led the team in runners picked-off base (4), while among the top four in 12 overall positive pitching statistical categories.
Smiy earned the honor for the second-straight time as he has attained a 3.90 GPA (third-highest among the 39) while majoring in business finance. An outfielder, he started all 48 games and hit .367 with two home runs, 18 doubles, 27 RBI, 30 runs, a .533 slugging percentage, a .427 on-base percentage, and a .923 fielding percentage. Smiy led the team in games played, game started, and doubles, while among the top five in 13 overall offensive statistical categories with 21 multi-hit games and four multi-RBI games. He had a season-best 15-game hitting streak (32-62, .516) as well, third-best on team.
Cerreto is a first-time academic honoree as he has attained a 3.38 GPA while majoring in chemistry. A third baseman, he also started all 48 games and hit .367 as well with eight home runs, 13 doubles, 52 RBI, 45 runs, a .572 slugging percentage, a .448 on-base percentage, and a .902 fielding percentage. Cerreto led the team games played, game started, RBI, walks (30), sacrifice flies (8), and total plate appearances (223), while among the top five in 17 overall offensive statistical categories with 19 multi-hit games. He also led the team with 15 multi-RBI games, and had a season-best nine-game hitting streak (17-34, .500).
Longwood finished its 2009 campaign with a final record of 26-22. It marked the 28th winning season in the program’s 32-year history, and the 21st season with at least 25 wins. Veteran head coach Charles ‘Buddy’ Bolding is now 844-457-4 through his 31 years as the mentor of Longwood Baseball. The Lancers could return as many as 19 lettermen for 2010.