LEWISTON, ID - UBC Thunderbirds freshman standout centre fielder
Blake Carruthers was one of nine players named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' (NAIA) 2010 Rawlings®-NAIA Baseball Gold Glove Team on Friday. He was the only selection to this year's squad who was not in their junior or senior season and is the first T-Bird to receive this distinction.
Full list of winners
The selections were made by the NAIA-American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America Selection Committee. This marks the fourth year the NAIA Gold Glove Team has been chosen.
Carruthers enjoyed an outstanding freshman campaign with the T-Birds after red-shirting last season at Central Washington (NCAA). The Calgary, AB native started 51 of the T-Birds 54 games and notched a perfect fielding percentage (1.000) with 92 putouts and three assists.
UBC finished second overall in the NAIA with a team fielding percentage of .975 and the play of Carruthers in the outfield was a big key to their success.
Possessing an impressive combination of speed and vision in the field, Carruthers anchored a UBC outfield that for the most part featured three new starters. Despite his freshman status, he took over the centre field from four-year standout Jon Syrnyk without missing a step.
"Any type of national recognition is a real honour for both Blake and the UBC program," said UBC head coach
Terry McKaig.
Carruthers was also a threat at the plate in his first NAIA season, tying for the team lead with seven home runs and chipping in with a .335 batting average, 35 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. His on-base percentage (.443) and walks (26) both ranked second on the team.
-30-
