Furman Places Three On Coaches 2008 All-SoCon Team

May 19, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman placed three players on the coaches 2008 All-Southern Conference Team, which was released today.

Leading the way for Furman was pitcher Jay Jackson, who earned first team honors. Garnering second team accolades were freshman designated hitter Reese Wade and sophomore relief pitcher Nick Karow.

Jackson, a junior right-hander, posted a 9-2 record and 2.81 earned run average this season in helping Furman to a 31-22 overall record and 17-10, third place conference regular season finish. His nine victories tied for the most among league pitchers while his ERA led all conference weekend starters by a wide margin, as did his opponent .213 batting average. The former Christ Church Episcopal School standout was twice named SoCon Pitcher of the Week this year and was the league's pitcher of the month for April. In addition to his superb pitching, Jackson started 36 games in the field for the Paladins this spring and hit .325 with eight home runs and 30 RBI.

Wade batted .403 this year with a home run and 21 RBI. His home run came in the seventh inning of Saturday's 6-5 win over Georgia Southern and proved to be the game winner. The left-hand hitting Dallas, Texas, product is bidding to become Furman's first .400 hitter since 1986.

Karow, meanwhile, posted a 4-0 record with nine saves and a 3.20 ERA this spring. His nine saves tied for the SoCon. Making 30 appearances in 39 1/3 innings of work the Lewis Center, Ohio, right-hander issued only eight walks while striking out 41.

The No. 3 seed Paladins open SoCon Tournament play on Wednesday against No. 6 seed Appalachian State in a 1:00 p.m. game at Charleston's Joseph P. Riley Park.

All Furman SoCon Tournament games will be broadcast over WOLT-FM 103.3 and over Stretch Internet through www.furmanpaladins.com. Set to deliver the play-by-play is Tom Van Hoy, and former Paladin standout Clint Hill will provide color commentary.