Four Diamond Dogs Earn Freshman All-American Honors
Left-handed pitcher Paul Maholm, a member of MSU's starting weekend rotation, headed up the Mississippi State contingent on this year's all-rookie team. Maholm, from Holly Springs, Miss., compiled an 8-5 record with a 4.50 ERA, leading the Bulldog pitching staff with 95 strikeouts. He was named to the all-tournament team at the NCAA Columbus (Ohio) Regional.
Three other first-year Diamond Dogs, first baseman Matthew Brinson of Brandon, Miss., third baseman Steve Gendron of Tampa, Fla., and designated hitter Brent Lewis of Jackson, Tenn., were accorded honorable mention all-America team status.
Brinson, selected the most valuable player in the NCAA Columbus (Ohio) Regional, finished second on the club in batting average (.328), home runs (7) and RBI (46). Gendron, also named to the all-tournament team at Ohio State, compiled a .281 batting average and drew starts in 60 of MSU's 63 games. Lewis hit at a .290 clip, drawing 43 of his 46 rookie season starts as the Bulldogs' designated hitter.