June 8, 2008

TUCSON, Ariz. - University of Richmond rookie designated hitter Billy Barber has been named to the 2008 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team, which was announced by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. The Fredericksburg, Va. native becomes the third Spider in as many seasons to earn the honor.

Barber, who was bothered by a nagging thumb injury over the final two weeks of the season, still finished as the team leader with 13 home runs, 45 RBI and a .703 slugging percentage. The freshman was named the National Player of the Week once and was a back-to-back A-10 Rookie of the Week pick after a torrid stretch that saw Barber hit .500 (12-for-24) with six homers, 16 RBI and a 1.375 slugging percentage over five game stretch in late March.

The designated hitter homered in five-consecutive games mid-season and finished third in the A-10 in long balls and second in slugging. He was tabbed -- along with teammate Mike Mergenthaler -- to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team.

Sophomore pitcher Matt Zielinski and junior third baseman Cameron Brown were each named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Barber was joined by A-10 Rookie of the Year Corey Shaylor (2B) and RHP Joe Yermal - both from Charlotte -- as the only rookie student-athletes from the A-10 on the 102-player team encompassing all of Division-I baseball.