GREENSBORO, N.C. - Virginia Tech redshirt-sophomore outfielder Andrew Rash was selected to the 2011 All-Atlantic Coast Conference’s first team, as announced on Monday by the conference office in voting conducted by the league’s 12 head coaches.
Rash becomes just the fifth Hokie to be named to either the first or second team in the school’s seven years in the league and joins former teammate Austin Wates as the only two Tech players to be named to the first team, as Wates was a first team outfielder in 2010.
Rash led the team in batting (.335), home runs (18), RBI (53), total bases (135), slugging percentage (.707) and on-base percentage (.416) and was tied for the team lead in hit by pitch (10). He was second on the team in runs scored (49) and tied for second in doubles (17).
Among the conference players, Rash led all ACC players in home runs (by seven), total bases (by 12) and slugging percentage (by .102). He was also tied for fourth in RBI, tied for seventh in doubles, tied for 11th in runs and was 13th in batting.
Among the nation’s players, the Anderson, S.C. native finished tied for sixth in home runs during the regular season and was in the top 30 in total bases and slugging entering last weekend.
In regards to Tech, Rash’s power numbers had not been seen in Blacksburg since 1996, when Kevin Barker hit 20 home runs and slugged .792. Since Barker, Rash is the first Hokie to hit more than 14 home runs in a single season and finish a season with a slugging percentage over .700 - Larry Bowles finished right at .700 after the 1999 season.
Rash will be playing this summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League for the Harwich Mariners, along with five other current ACC players including Tech teammate Joe Mantiply.
Visit the ACC website to see the complete 2011 All-ACC first and second teams and the individual honors.
For updates on Virginia Tech baseball, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Baseball).