January 25, 2010

FIVE FORMER VCU BASEBALL STANDOUTS NAMED TO CAA 25TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM

RICHMOND, Va. – Five former Virginia Commonwealth University baseball players were recognized by the Colonial Athletic Association for their standout careers with the Rams.

Jason Dubois, Brandon Inge, Sean Marshall, Cla Meredith and Sergio Miranda were named to the CAA 25th Anniversary Team as part of the 25 most prolific baseball players in conference history.

Dubois, a member of the VCU baseball program from 1998-2000, was a three-time All-CAA selection and garnered All-America honors following his junior campaign.  The Virginia Beach, Va., native won the CAA Triple Crown in 2000 with a .435 batting average, 19 home runs and 74 RBI.  Dubois, who finished last season with the New York Met’s Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons, ranks among VCU’s career top 10 in batting (.375), homers (37) and RBI (183).

Meanwhile, Inge, a three-year VCU standout from 1996-98, earned first team All-America and CAA Co-Player of the Year honors following his junior season in 1998.  The two-way talent was a three-time All-CAA selection as a shortstop and relief pitcher.  The Lynchburg, Va., native, who is a nine-year veteran of the Detroit Tigers organization, became the first ever VCU player to earn an All-Star spot in any professional sports league with a selection to Major League Baseball’s National League squad in 2009.

A two-time All-CAA honoree, left handed pitcher Sean Marshall received CAA Rookie of the Year and All-America honors following his freshman campaign with the Rams in 2001.  The Richmond, Va., native ranks among VCU’s career top 10 with 40 starts and 254 strikeouts.  Marshall, who was inducted into the VCU Baseball Hall of Fame last October, recently completed his fourth season with the Chicago Cubs.

Meredith, who enjoyed a three-year VCU career from 2002-2004, was a two-time All-CAA selection and earned honorable mention All-America recognition following his sophomore campaign in 2003.  He finished his career ranked among the top 10 in school history with 15 saves, 79 appearances and a 2.52 ERA.  A sixth-round selection by the Boston Red Sox in 2004, Meredith was dealt to the San Diego Padres in 2006 and finished this past season with the Baltimore Orioles.

A slick fielding shortstop, Miranda was a Rawlings Gold Glove Award recipient in 2007 and earned CAA Defensive Player of the Year honors twice during his three-year career with the Rams.  The Bayamon, Puerto Rico native was an All-CAA selection on three occasions and earned Freshman All-America honors in 2005.  Miranda ranks among the top three in career assists (570), hits (283) and batting average (.376) at VCU.

In conjunction with its 25th Anniversary celebration in 2009-10, the CAA is recognizing Silver Anniversary teams in 21 championship sports. The teams are selected by a panel of current and former head coaches in the conference.