June 23, 2005

It's been nearly a month since the George Mason baseball season ended but the accolades are still coming in for the Patriots. The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) released its All-East Region teams and a trio of players were honored as the best players in the area. Senior pitcher Stacen Gant and senior outfield Matt Cooksey were each chosen to the All-East first team while junior catcher Robby Jacobsen was selected to the second team.

Gant earned the All-East first team honor in 2004 as well. He was first-team All-CAA in 2004 and 2005 and a third-team ABCA All-American in 2004. He was 9-2 with a 2.93 ERA this past season with a school single-season record 92 strikeouts in 86 innings. He allowed the opposition to bat just .228 against him in his 14 starts. He pitched two complete games with one shutout. Gant is Mason's all-time leader in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, appearances and winning percentage and he is second all-time in ERA.

Cooksey was named first-team All-CAA in 2005. This is his first All-East honor. He was among the nation's leaders this season in runs per game, steals per game and batting average. This year he batted .386 in 50 games with seven homers, eight triples, 13 doubles and 66 runs scored. He had a .515 on-base percentage and stole 34 of 38 bases. He is the Colonial Athletic Association's all-time leader in triples and walks and he is Mason's all-time leader in runs, triples, walks and stolen bases.

Jacobsen had his finest season as a Patriot, starting every game at catcher for the second consecutive season. He batted .335 with seven home runs, 55 runs and 45 RBI. He led the team with 16 doubles and he was second on the club with 20 steals in 23 attempts. His 20 steals was a school record for a catcher. He also made just three errors on the season, fielding .993. Jacobsen is among Mason's all-time leaders in doubles and steals.