Trio of Sophomore Cavs Selected All-AAC Baseball Teams

May 8, 2006

Jon Reed
Jorge Laboy
David Jones

Wise, VA -- A trio of sophomore Highland Cavaliers received selection to the All-Appalachian Athletic Conference baseball teams. The AAC's leading hitter, Jon Reed earned all-conference first team while Jorge Laboy picked up second team and David Jones was honorable mention.

UVa-Wise completed its best season in four years last week. The Cavs finished 28-19, the most victories for the program in a decade, and fifth in the AAC. UVa-Wise was picked seventh in the preseason AAC poll.

Reed led the squad all season in hitting to claim his first All-AAC honor. The first team outfielder led the league in batting with a .443 average (66 of 149). The sophomore finished in the top 10 of the conference in four other categories including second in triples (4) and third in slugging percentage (.711). The Chesterfield, Va. native drove in a team-best 50 runs, sliced 14 doubles, belted six homers and stole 13 bases while scoring 39 runs. The L.C. Bird high graduate produced 21 multi-hit games and recorded two 10-game hit streaks. Reed has a solid .432 average in two seasons.

Laboy received his first all-league honors on the second team. The shortstop paced the Cavs with 43 runs scored and drew 28 walks. The Woodbridge, Va. product had his second .300-plus year at the plate with a .340 average (52 of 153), fourth on the team. Laboy tied for the team lead with six round-trippers while lining nine doubles and driving in 31 runners. The second-year player has a .329 average (91 of 277) in two seasons at UVa-Wise.

Jones rounds out the honorees by making the honorable mention team. The sophomore had a breakout year on the mound as the team's closer. The Amelia, Va. native was the AAC leader with 10 saves in 18 appearances. Jones went 1-2 on the season with a 3.76 earned run average over 26.1 innings pitched. He struck out 21 batters and held opponents to a .243 average.