Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech senior Matt Hacker was named to the University Division All-State Baseball second team on Tuesday, as chosen in a vote by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID).
With the selection, Hacker becomes the first Hokie to be honored by the state's media relations professionals since Sheldon Adams was given an honorable mention in 2005.
Hacker hit .328 in 134 at-bats in 2008, playing games at second base, shortstop, third base and designated hitter. He was batting a team-high .380 in late March before a knee injury kept him out for a month, but he returned to finish the season at shortstop, which is where he was chosen for the VaSID team.
The Richmond, Va., native set career highs with his .328 average, .470 slugging percentage, .383 on-base percentage and four home runs. He also was the only Hokie this season to record four hits in a game on multiple occasions.
A co-captain in 2008, Hacker shared the Johnny Oates Memorial Baseball Award with Sean O'Brien. The award was established in 2006 by Oates' former Virginia Tech teammates in fond memory of a good friend and loyal teammate whose enduring faith, devotion to family, character, integrity, competitive nature and perseverance continue to be an inspiration. It is presented annually to the Virginia Tech baseball player who best exemplifies those traits.
VaSID named William & Mary's Mike Sheridan its Player of the Year, Virginia's Michael Schwimer its Pitcher of the Year, James Madision's Turner Phelps its Rookie of the Year and James Madison's Spanky McFarland its Coach of the Year.