June 2, 2003

FAIRFAX, VA ... George Mason junior third baseman Nick Shimer has been selected to the All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) first team.

Also selected to the All-Colonial Athletic Association first team this season, Shimer joins four other CAA players on the All-ECAC first team. James Madison first baseman Eddie Kim was selected as the ECAC Player of the Year, while Virginia Commonwealth relief pitcher Justin Orenduff, William & Mary outfielder Michael Brown and Towson designated hitter Mike Costello also were first-team choices.

Shimer (Clifton, VA/Robinson HS) had a breakout year both offensively and defensively for George Mason. The 6-1, 210-pound right-handed hitter posted career highs with a .349 average, 19 doubles, nine home runs and 41 runs batted in. He led the Patriots in doubles while ranking second in home runs and batting and was third in RBI. Defensively, he had just six errors in 184 chances for a .967 fielding percentage.

George Mason completed the 2003 season with a 31-20 overall record and a 9-8 mark in the CAA. It was the first time the Patriots posted 30 wins since 1999, and they overcame being the No. 6 seed in the OBX/CAA Baseball Championship to win three games in the tournament and advance to the championship round for the first time since 1993.