Chapman University - Athletics - Press Releases

ATHLETICS > Press Releases > May 30, 2007

Contact:	Doug Aiken
	Sports Information Director
	(714) 997-6900
	daiken@chapman.edu
Release Date:	May 30, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YACKO NAMED DIVISION III CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR; DRAG AND KITCHENS EARN ALL-AMERICA

ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman University sophomore infielder/pitcher Kurt Yacko was named NCAA Division III Co-Player of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) at the Division III World Series and All-America banquet last week. Yacko, a first team selection, shared the honor with Shawn Gilblair from Eastern Connecticut State. Yacko was joined by senior RHP Devin Drag and sophomore RHP Wayde Kitchens on the All-America team.

Kurt Yacko

Yacko becomes the first Chapman University baseball player ever selected national player of the year after he batted .389 (stats include postseason) with six home runs, 46 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He also posted a 5-1 record on the mound with 10 saves, 103 strikeouts (in 82 2/3 innings) and led the Panthers with a 1.74 ERA. He was named to the All-America team as a utility player; his first such honor.

Drag earned ABCA All-America first team honors for the second straight year with a perfect 16-0 record. That record was the best in Division III in 2007 and tied an all-time Chapman record with former Major Leaguer and USA Olympian Don August ’84, who went 16-4 in 1984. Drag struck out 101 batters and posted a 2.41 ERA. He also established a new school record for career victories at 30-2 overall.

Kitchens was named third team All-America for the first time in his young career. The right-hander was 12-2 with a 2.35 ERA and earned team-bests in shutouts (two) and opponent batting average (.217). Kitchens set a new school record with 120 strikeouts and ranked second in Division III in that category.

All three pitchers eclipsed the 100 strikeout mark this season, while it had only been accomplished twice prior by Chapman pitchers (Ryan France, 100 in 2003; Scott Akamine, 100 in 2005). Prior to the World Series, Chapman ranked No. 5 in Division III in team earned run average with a 2.66 mark.

The ABCA and Rawlings also named a Gold Glove team for each region and the nation for the first time in 2007. Senior 1B Patrick Ohail earned both the West Region and Division III Gold Glove award, compiling a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 461 total chances in the infield. Dating back to last season, Ohail has not committed an error in 513 chances and has gone 54 consecutive errorless games.

Capping its first year of Division III baseball coverage, D3Baseball.com announced its inaugural All-America team last week, as well. Yacko (utility) and Drag were named to the first team, while Kitchens was an honorable mention selection.

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