(Story taken from the Millsaps College & Oglethorpe University websites)
APPLETON, Wisc. - Millsaps College senior shortstop Billy Murphy and Oglethorpe University sophomore thirdbaseman J.J. Rizzo were named 2009 South Region Rawlings Gold Glove award winners. They were the only Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference selections to the regional gold glove teams.
A three-year member of the Majors' baseball team and two-year
starter, Murphy joins 3B Hunter Abrams (2007) and
OF John Pacillo (2007) on the list of ABCA/Rawlings South Region
Gold Glove winners.
One of four Majors to start and play in all 44 games on the year,
Murphy carried a .956 fielding percentage in 251 chances, recording
146 assists and 94 putouts against just 11 errors. He also helped
turn 21 of Millsaps' 35 double plays.
Murphy hit .184 from the plate with six doubles, a triple, a home run and 22 RBIs in addition to drawing 38 walks (12th in the NCAA). His eight sacrfice flies ranked third in the country, while the Majors as a team were also third in the nation.
Rizzo started all 36 games this year for the Petrels and was named a 2009 South Region Rawlings Gold Glove recipient for his outstanding glove-work at third base this year. Rizzo compiled a .923 fielding percentage in 2009, committing only nine errors in 117 chances at third base. Additionally, he was at the top of several team offensive categories including 2nd in battieng average (.362), 3rd in RBI and tied for first in extra base hits (16). Rizzo made the All-SCAC First Team as a third baseman for his efforts.
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