May 29, 2008

Raleigh, N.C. – Junior first baseman Justin Smoak earned first team All-America honors with junior shortstop Reese Havens receiving third team All-America accolades on this year’s 2008 Collegiate Baseball All-American team that was announced on Thursday afternoon (May 29). This is the second consecutive year that Smoak has earned All-America honors with Havens receiving his first All-America recognition. Both players are semifinalists for the Golden Spikes Award as well presented by USA Baseball.

In 59 games this season, Justin Smoak is batting 377 with 21 homers and 66 RBI. Smoak earned first team All-SEC honors. Along with his conference honors, Smoak is one of 16 players in the nation to be named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy awarded to the top player in college baseball by the NCBWA. Smoak led all conference players in hitting in SEC games as he hit .407 in 30 league games.

Reese Havens has started in all 59 games as well and is batting .363 with 16 HR and 53 RBI. The junior shortstop has led off every game this year for Carolina and he and Smoak lead the conference in walks with 55 free passes apiece on the year. Havens also received SEC All-Defensive team honors at shortstop as he fielded .977 in the 30 conference games with just two errors vs. SEC teams. In overall games, Havens has a fielding percentage of .961 with 10 errors.

Carolina begins postseason play on Friday afternoon in NCAA Regional action with first pitch against Charlotte set for 2 pm in Raleigh, N.C.