Five Trojans earn spots on all-CWS team

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on June 1, 2008 3:32 AM

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SAUGET, Ill. -- In addition to carting home the NCAA Division II College World Series trophy, five Mount Olive College players earned a little extra hardware Saturday afternoon.

David Cooper, Alex Vertcnik, Rich Racobaldo, Jesse Lancaster and Casey Hodges each garnered all-tournament accolades during the week-long, double-elimination event.

Racobaldo picked up his second individual award of the postseason. The junior college transfer was named the South Atlantic Regional most valuable player. The third baseman batted 6-for-19 with four doubles, six runs scored and five RBI in the CWS.

"It hasn't really set in yet," said Racobaldo. "I guess it will tonight and tomorrow as we get back home, but right now it's just a great feeling. I am ready to go right now.

"I wish we could start next season tomorrow."

Racobaldo also turned two highlight-reel plays. The most memorable was a lunging snag as he reached into the seats down the left-field line.

Cooper also made his mark on the left side of the infield with several dazzling defensive gems. The senior capped the national title game by recording the final three putouts for the Trojans.

At the plate, Cooper also notched six hits in Mount Olive's four games. The lead-off man also scored five times and drove in four runs.

Vertcnik and Lancaster earned two of the three outfield spots on the all-tournament team. The duo combined for 15 hits and 10 runs scored.

Casey Hodges earned the all-tournament nod thanks to his dominance of Ouachita in two outings.

In last Sunday's opening-round matchup, Hodges pitched five innings and allowed just two runs before a thunderstorm ended his night early. In the final game the senior tossed eight frames to earn the win on the hill.