College Baseball

Rider's Heyne Freshman All-American

LAWRENCEVILLE?Rider University third baseman Mason Heyne was named to the Collegiate Baseball's Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American Team, it was announced Wednesday.

“Mason had an outstanding freshman year,” said Rider head coach Barry Davis. “He was one of the most consistent players we had in all phases of the game.”

Heyne (Shrewsbury, Pa./Susquehannock) was one of nine third basemen named to the national freshman team.

Heyne batted .332 for the Broncs, second highest on the team, with 63 hits in 51 starts at third base.  Heyne led the Broncs with 18 doubles and was second on the team in runs batted in with 44. He also hit six home runs.

Heyne helped Rider win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship tournament and was named to the all-tournament team. In the MAAC tournament Heyne had a slugging percentage of .588 with five hits and seven RBI in four tournament games.

“The award is well deserved and adds to the success of our baseball program in 2008,” Davis said.

A member of the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball All-Rookie team, Heyne was twice named the MAAC Rookie of the Week during the regular season.

At the NCAA Regional, hosted by Cal State Fullerton, Heyne hit an RBI double against the University of Virginia to cut the lead to 4-1.

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