May 6, 2004

Annapolis, Md. - Navy sophomore first baseman Jared Munde and freshman pitcher Burgess Nichols garnered First-Team All-Patriot League honors, the league announced Wednesday. It was the first time either player had been named to an all-league team.

Munde (Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.) finished the season ranked second in the Patriot League with a .450 batting average in league games and finished 2004 as the Mids' top hitter with a .356 average. Munde, who collected 18 of his 32 hits during league play, also was second on the team in RBIs (20), slugging percentage (.489) and on-base percentage (.392). He received Patriot League Player-of-the-Week honors April 5 when after he batted .722 (13 of 18) with a pair of four-hit contests and nine RBIs in a five-game stretch.

The versatile Nichols (Boston, Mass.) began the year as Navy's closer before moving into the starting rotation on a regular basis the final three weeks of the season. Nichols led the Mids with a team-high four saves, finished with a 2-0 won-loss record earning both wins as a starter and posted the pitching staff's best ERA (3.54). In Patriot League action, Nichols figured in the decision of five of Navy's seven victories with two wins and three saves. In 22-1/3 innings in league games, Nichols posted a 2.42 ERA, struck out 14 batters, held opposing hitters to a .205 batting average and had the squad's lone complete game in a nine-inning contest in Navy's 4-3 win over Army on April 24.

The Mids finished the 2004 season with a 14-36 overall record and were 7-13 in the Patriot League. In four seasons under head coach Steve Whitmyer, Navy players have received 19 all-league certificates.

"Both Jared and Burgess improved a lot this year and had good seasons for us," said Whitmyer. "I know the entire coaching staff and their teammates are extremely proud of them for their accomplishments.

"Jared and Burgess were just two of the young players who got a lot of playing experience this season. It will be great to have them back. Hopefully, those two - and the rest of their returning teammates - will continue to improve and respond with good years next season."