June 4, 2009

From Army Athletic Communications

West Point, N.Y. - Army freshman Zach Price caught the attention of coaches and fans around the country this year with his scrappy style of play. His performance was recognized on the national level Wednesday when he was named to the 2009 Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-America team as chosen by Collegiate Baseball magazine.

The fourth Army freshman to be named Patriot League Rookie of the Year (and the second consecutively), Price also became the fourth freshman in West Point history to earn First-Team All-Patriot League honors. The Black Knights' starting second baseman batted .350 with 10 doubles, two triples, 59 runs scored and 25 runs batted in while serving as Army's leadoff hitter this spring. Price posted a .480 on-base percentage and was successful on 14 of 18 stolen base opportunities. He registered 21 multiple-hit games and seven multi-RBI showings.

The Cantonment, Fla., (J.M. Tate H.S.), native led the Patriot League in walks (39) and runs scored (59), while ranking among conference leaders in on-base percentage (3rd), stolen bases (3rd), base hits (8th) and batting average (11th).

Price became only the second freshman in Army history to lead the team in runs scored and stolen bases. He also established new school records for games played and games started and was the only member of the Black Knights' record-setting team to appear in all 57 games this spring. The left-handed swinging second-sacker fell just one walk shy of Army's single-season record as well and set a new school freshman standard when he authored a 16-game hitting streak late in the year. He entered last weekend's action at the Austin Regional having hit safely in 27 of his previous 28 contests.

Price established new freshman Army records in games played, walks, on-base percentage, runs scored and stolen bases He batted .357 with runners in scoring position and batted safely in 46 of 57 games. He also batted .505 when leading off an inning and hit .425 in Patriot League play.

With the selection of Price, six different Army players have been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team in the last six years. It also marks the second straight year that the Black Knights have placed at least one member on the squad, following in the footsteps of shortstop Clint Moore and first baseman Kevin McKague, who were similarly honored last spring.

Price is the only player from the Patriot League named to the 2009 Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-America team.

Army closed arguably its most successful season in school history last weekend as it reached the final of the Austin Regional. The Black Knights finished 36-21 overall and reached a regional final for the first time. The victory total stands as the third-highest in school history