Tuesday, May 27, 2003

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (May 27, 2003) - Having already been named to the All-Southern Conference first team by the league's coaches, East Tennessee State junior shortstop Andy Howdeshell (Maryville, Tenn.) has earned the same honor from the Southern Conference Sports Media Association. Howdeshell had a stellar first season in a Buccaneer uniform, immediately ranking among the best middle infielders in the Southern Conference. Andy was the only Buccaneer to play in all 51 games of the season, starting 26 games at shortstop and 25 games at second base. He ranked among the SoCon leaders in many categories, finishing sixth in the SoCon in batting average (.354), seventh in hits (74), fifth in home runs (10) and slugging percentage (.593) and fourth in total bases (124) and hit by pitch (11). Led the team in each of those categories as well, but also led the Bucs in runs scored (40), doubles (14), triples (3), RBI (33), and on-base percentage (.435). He finished second on the squad with nine stolen bases. Howdeshell is the first Buccaneer to be named first-team All-SoCon since outfielder Nathan Copeland earned the honor in 2001.