June 8, 2001
San Diego - Catcher Brian Manfred has been named San Diego State's 2001 Most Valuable Player by the Aztec baseball coaching staff. The junior from Newark, Calif., started 54 of SDSU's 60 games behind the plate and hit .279 over the course of the season. Along the way he contributed seven doubles, three triples, one home run, 17 RBI and 25 runs scored. His eight sacrifice bunts led the team and he set a school record with three in a game vs. Utah on May 5. Manfred also threw out 32 runners attempting to steal, a figure that was tops among all catchers in the Mountain West Conference.
"Brian's award is not based so much on his numbers as on his consistency over the course of the season," commented head coach Jim Dietz. "He caught in all but two of our game this season, and his positive attitude and willingness to work hard were things he brought to the field every day."
Other team award winners for the 2001 season are as follows:
Top PitcherMarcos Mendoza, LHP (7-6, 3.84, 118 Ks)Top RelieverRoyce Ring, LHP (6-2, 9 saves, 1.19 ERA)Top OffensiveCarlo Cota, 2B (.346, 13 doubles, 46 RBI)Top DefensiveAnthony Gwynn, OF (.961 fielding percentage)Most ImprovedBen Leuthard, OF (.331, 12 doubles, 26 RBIMost InspirationalSean Pierce, OF (.350, 3 triples, 6 HR, 23 RBI)Andy Litteral, OF (.358, 13 RBI, 14 steals)Coaches AwardJohn Skinner, RHP (4-4, 1 save, 3.58)