May 23, 2006

By Nathan Saverino, Redhawks Sports Information

PADUCAH, Ky. - (Tuesday, May 23, 2006) - Freshmen Andrew Graham and Aaron Rave were honored as members of the OVC All-Freshman Team on Tuesday evening at the annual Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Banquet. The All-Freshman team consists of the 13 best freshman baseball players in the Ohio Valley Conference, as determined by the coaches and sports information directors.

Out of Fort Scott, Kansas, Andrew Graham has been a force to be reckoned with at the plate this season. After missing time earlier in the season due to a stress fracture in his foot, Graham came back strong to hit .274 in 34 games. Working mostly as an outfielder and designated hitter, Graham slugged two home runs while driving in 14 base runners and scoring 26 times. In addition, he was a perfect 3-3 in stolen base attempts.

He recorded a trio of three-hit games this season, including an impressive 3-4 performance against Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. Despite the Redhawks loss, Graham did his part at the plate, as he blasted a three-run home run and scored twice.

The right-hander also made four appearances on the mound this season, throwing 4.1 innings. He compiled a 2-0 record, and did not allow a single run to score while giving up only two hits.

Aaron Rave has been a staple in the Southeast lineup this season. He has played in all but one game for the Redhawks this season, and leads the team with 51 games started. As part of the Southeast lineup, the freshman out of Glendale, Arizona has shown tremendous patience at the plate, leading the team with 39 walks, which is tied for 10th on the school's single season charts, for a team-leading .424 on-base percentage. Meanwhile, the left-handed batter ranks fifth on the squad with a .299 average, and he has 23 RBIs and 23 runs scored on the season.

He is one of just four Redhawks to record four or more hits in a game, collecting four hits in Southeast's 9-5 win at the University of Missouri. His best game this season, though, was a five-RBI game in a 6-7 loss to McNeese State in the third game of the year. Rave was 3-4 in the contest, including a two run double in the eighth inning which brought the Redhawks within one.

Both Graham and Rave look to continue their freshman presence this week as the Redhawks take on Eastern Illinois in the first round of the O'Reilly OVC Baseball Tournament at Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky. First pitch is slated on Wednesday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m. The game can be heard live on the radio at 1220 KGIR or via the internet at ww.kgir.com.