University of North Carolina Athletics
Ackley Named National Freshman Of The Year
June 6, 2007 | Baseball
June 6, 2007
TUSCON, Ariz. - North Carolina first baseman Dustin Ackley was named Collegiate Baseball newspaper's Freshman Player of the Year Wednesday, adding to an already long list of honors for the Tar Heels' top hitter. Ackley was joined on the publication's Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team by outfielder Tim Fedroff.
Also a third-team All-America and the ACC's Freshman of the Year, Ackley is the first Tar Heel since Brian Roberts in 1997 to earn national rookie honors. He is batting .427 with Carolina freshman records of 109 hits and 65 RBI in 63 starts. Ackley also leads UNC in doubles (19), slugging (.608), on-base percentage (.465) and stolen bases (10). He was a two-time ACC Player of the Week in 2007.
Fedroff, who was a second-team All-ACC selection, is batting .363 on the season with four home runs and 35 RBI. He has been the Tar Heels' regular right fielder for the last two-thirds of the season. Fedroff shares the team lead with five triples and earned a spot on the ACC's all-tournament team, helping Carolina clinch its first title since 1990.
The Tar Heels have now had at least one freshman All-America in each of the last five seasons. Current Tar Heels Chad Flack, Josh Horton, Seth Williams and Tim Federowicz were each honored as rookies by Collegiate Baseball.
