University of North Carolina Athletics
Diamond Heels Hand Out Annual Awards
June 27, 2007 | Baseball
June 27, 2007
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Just days after completing the winningest season in program history with a second straight national runner-up finish, the University of North Carolina baseball program handed out its annual awards with Dustin Ackley, Andrew Carignan and Robert Woodard claiming the S.H. Basnight Award for the most valuable player and pitchers. Additionally, Garrett Gore and Rob Wooten earned the Walter Rabb Award for the most improved players, while Reid Fronk, Adam Warren and Seth Williams took home the Francis "Tripp" Bourne Award for the most dedicated players.
The national freshman of the year, Ackley posted one of the finest offensive seasons in school history and became just the fourth Tar Heel to hit over .400 in a year. He led the country and set a school record with 119 hits en route to his .402 average, which was the fourth-best mark in school history. Ackley also set a UNC record with 296 at-bats, was fourth with 74 RBI, fourth with 175 total bases and ninth with 70 runs scored. Also the ACC's Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-league honoree, Ackley was a consensus All-America selection and a freshman All-America choice.
Carignan, who shares most valuable pitcher honors with Woodard, was a consensus All-America closer this season and tied the UNC single-season record with 18 saves, which tied for the national lead. His team-best 1.43 ERA was the ninth-best single-season total in school history and his 40 appearances were the third most at Carolina. He struck out 69 in 63 innings and held the opposition to a .173 average. Carignan saved five games in the NCAA Tournament and three in the College World Series.
Woodard ends his decorated career as a two-time winner of the Basnight Award, having also earned MVP honors in 2005. This season he went a career-best 11-2 with a 3.30 ERA in 18 starts. Additionally, Woodard struck out 84 in 114 2/3 innings. He is the only pitcher in UNC history to rank in the Tar Heels' career top-10 in wins, winning percentage, innings and strikeouts.
The Tar Heels' most improved position player, Gore saw action in 61 games and started 48, mainly at second base. He nearly doubled his average from his freshman season to .324 and added eight doubles, two home runs and 27 RBI. Gore was also outstanding defensively at second with just six errors and a .973 fielding percentage.
After pitching in just 19 games over the previous two seasons, Wooten made a school-record 47 appearances as the Tar Heels' primary set-up man in 2007. He posted a 2.35 ERA in 53 2/3 innings and struck out 58. Wooten posted a 6-1 record with three wins coming in the NCAA Tournament. He pitched in 12 of 13 postseason games, including a CWS-record six in Omaha.
Fronk, Williams and Warren were each honored for their dedication and hard work. In his first season in the outfield, Fronk earned All-ACC honors and hit .318 with a team-best 11 home runs and 58 RBI. He also posted top-10 single-season totals in at-bats, runs, doubles, triples and extra base hits.
Williams hit .293 with nine home runs and 42 RBI in 69 games. He also drew 34 walks, while striking out just 20 times in 232 at-bats. Williams played an outstanding defensive center field with a .988 fielding percentage.
The Tar Heels' primary midweek starter, Warren finished the year second in the ACC with 12 wins to go along with a 2.17 ERA in 70 2/3 innings. He held opponents to a miniscule .220 average. With a 12-0 record, Warren recorded the most victories without a loss in program history. He won two games at the College World Series.
