NKU’s Steve Thomas

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University senior closer Steve Thomas has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-America third team.

Thomas, a graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati, posted a 5-0 record with 11 saves and a 1.05 earned run average this season. He set an NKU record by pitching 28 consecutive scoreless innings this season and was also named first team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference.

Thomas earned All-North Central Region honors this season. His 11 saves led the GLVC, and he limited opposing hitters to a .166 batting average in 2006.

NKU won the GLVC Tournament championship for the third time in the past five years and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Norse posted a 42-20-1 overall record.

Thomas is the fourth NKU baseball player to earn All-America honors in the past five years. Jason Martin (2001), Steve Walton (2002) and Derrik Moeves (2004) also earned All-America accolades in the past five seasons.

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BASEBALL WRITERS ASSOCIATION
2006 DIVISION II ALL-AMERICA TEAMS
Player of the Year: Lee Cruz, Tampa
Pitcher of the Year: Gabe Medina, Emporia State
# indicates unanimous selection

First Team
Starting pitcher: #Gabe Medina, Emporia State
Starting pitcher: Dylan Owen, Francis Marion
Starting pitcher: #Sergio Perez, Tampa
Starting pitcher: Nick Waechter, Western Oregon
Starting pitcher: Kyle Jones, SIU Edwardsville
Relief pitcher: Nick Wandless, USC Aiken
Relief pitcher: Zach Andrews, Montevallo
Catcher: John Brummett, Pittsburg State
First base: #Jeff Miller, West Virginia State
Second base: Justin Randall, Ashland
Third base: Bridger Hunt, Central Missouri State
Shortstop: Garrett Olson, Franklin Pierce
Outfield: #Lee Cruz, Tampa
Outfield: Jon Baksh, Florida Tech
Outfield: Sean VanElderen, Mesa State
Outfield: Mark McBratney, Emporia State
DH/Utility player: Kyle Jones, West Virginia State

Second Team
Starting pitcher: Nathan Starner, Shippensburg
Starting pitcher: Michael Antonini, Georgia College & State U.
Starting pitcher: Nick Bryant, Cal State Chico
Relief pitcher: Nick Fellman, Minnesota State Mankato
Relief pitcher: Michael Newman, Georgia College & State
Catcher: Matt Smith, Catawba
First base: Jose Jimenez, Tampa
Second base: Ryan Taylor, West Virginia State
Third base: DeShaun Brooks, Benedict
Shortstop: Joey Besl, Concord
Outfield: Brandon Halstead, West Virginia State
Outfield: James Barksdale, North Alabama
Outfield: Collin Brown, Shepherd
Outfield: Chad Leon, Neb.-Omaha
DH/Utility player: Miguel Porchas, New Mexico Highlands
DH/Utility player: Jimbo Davis, Catawba

Third Team
Starting pitcher: Cody Jones, Southern Arkansas
Starting pitcher: Jeremy Dow, Grand Valley State
Starting pitcher: Rusty Rayborn, Delta State
Starting pitcher: Ryan Williams, St. Anselm
Starting pitcher: Anthony Bello, Nova Southeastern
Relief pitcher: Steve Thomas, Northern Kentucky
Relief pitcher: Marcus Martinez, Chico
Catcher: Brett Wallace, West Chester
First base: Jason Klug, Cal State Dominguez Hills
Second base: Brian Lauderdale, North Georgia
Second base: John Beal, Angelo State
Third base: Brandon Bacon, Central Oklahoma
Shortstop: Mike DeVeaux, Georgia College & State
Outfield: Carlos Gutierrez, Elizabeth City State
Outfield: Boo Christenson, Western Oregon
Outfield: Joel Wells, Abilene Christian
Outfield: Jerry Sands, Catawba
Outfield: Adam Milauskas, Central Missouri State
DH/Utility player: Brock Godwin, Barton

Honorable mention
Starting pitchers: Zach Baldwin (West Virginia State); Cameron Cheek (SIU-Edwardsville); Josh Davidson (Ashland); Matt Huff (Regis); Ross Jackson (Tampa); Bobby Lewton (Fort Hays State); Mike McCardell (Kutztown); Travis Mortimore (Wayne State, Neb.); Chris Munn (Lander); Grant Payton (Grand Valley State); Shane Presutti (Franklin Pierce); Tim Smith (Catawba); Matt Wright (Shippensburg)
Relief pitchers: Rylan Hanks (Cal State-San Bernardino); Logan McElwain (Rockhurst); Keith Nelson (Mesa State); Earl Oakes (Pace); Matt Petty (Emporia State)
Catcher: Nick Corbeil (Barry); Robert Davis (USC Aiken)
First base: Antonio Siqueiros (New Mexico Highlands); Ryan Zenn (Missouri Western)
Second base: Mike Chambers (Franklin Pierce); Gered Mochizuki (Central Missouri St.)
Third base: Robbie Knapp (Erskine); Jason Louwsma (Florida Gulf Coast)
Shortstop: Jamie Nilsen (Central Washington); Dustin Walls (Incarnate Word)
Outfield: Brandon Anderson (Georgia College & State U.); Drew Candlin (Columbus State); Brandon Heard (Miles); Casey Jirsa (Ashland); Ryan Loper (Kutztown); Truman Marek (Armstrong Atlantic State); Thomas Reo (Molloy); Orlando Rosales (Tampa); David Thomas (Catawba); Alex Udwari (Belmont Abbey)
DH/Utility player: Joel Wells (Abilene Christian)