LEXINGTON, Va. -- VMI freshman third baseman Kelly Sweppenhiser (Herndon, Pa. / Line Mountain) was named to the 2003 Louisville Slugger's Freshmen All-American Baseball Team recently, becoming the first ever Freshmen All-American in Keydet History.

Sweppenhiser batted .318 with three homers and 25 RBI this season for VMI. Along the way, Sweppenhiser picked up Southern Conference Freshman of the Year honors, helping the Keydets establish new school records in conference wins (16) and overall wins (24). He was VMI's first conference Freshman of the Year since Mike Lamore in 1982.

"It is a great honor for Kelly and for our baseball program to have our first Freshmen All-American named," stated VMI head coach Tom Slater. "It says a lot about the year that he had. I think that it's great to see a VMI guy alongside players from big programs. He had a great year, and we're just so proud of him."

The Louisville Slugger's Freshmen All-American team is chosen by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.



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