Paducah, Ky. (May 20, 2003) - Senior's Tim Alvarez and Justin Christian were named the Ohio Valley Conference's Pitcher and Rookie of the Year as announced today at the OVC Baseball Tournament in Paducah.

Alvarez is the nation's winningest pitcher at 13 wins. He leads the league in wins and ERA as he has the conference's only sub three ERA at 2.99. He set the school record this year for wins in a season with 13, and still has more games to play.

Christian is batting .375 with 12 homers and 44 RBI, all highs at second base in the conference. He is also second in the conference with 18 stolen bases.

Christian and Alvarez were both named first-team All-Conference at their positions. Joining them was outfielder Brian Hopkins. Hopkins leads the league in homers with 18 and is sixth in the country in that stat. He is second in RBI with 59 and first in total bases with 159. Eastern Kentucky's Josh Anderson was named Player of the Year, while Austin Peay's Gary McClure was named coach of the Year.

Joining the three on the First-Team were Austin Peay's catcher A.J. Ellis, Eastern Illinois' first baseman Aaron Shellbourne, Tennessee Tech's shortstop Casey Benjamin, Eastern Kentucky's third baseman Neil Sellers, EKU outfielder Josh Anderson and Austin Peay outfielder Ron Bethke. Joining Alvarez at pitcher were Tennessee Tech's Ben Downs and Austin Peay's Jeff Mault.

Seniors Tristen McDonald, Zach Borowiak and Denver Stuckey were all named to the OVC's Second-Team.