July 1, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - On Monday, the Clark C. Griffith Collegiate Baseball League (CGL) announced its selections for this year's all-star team and both UCF Knights participating in the league were named to the squad. Juniors Shane Brown (Winter Park, Fla.) and Chris Duffy (Orlando, Fla.) each earned a spot on the team and will participate in the all-star game against the best players from the Maryland Collegiate Baseball League (MCBL) July 5 in Vienna, Va.
Brown and Duffy are teammates with the Beltway Blue Caps, which are located in Fairfax City, Va. Brown currently ranks fourth in the CGL in hitting with a .389 average, while he is tied for second with 28 hits and fourth with 19 RBI. A corner infielder for the Knights last year, he and Duffy have both connected for five home runs apiece, good for third in the CGL statistical chart.
Along with his five dingers, Duffy sits at 20th in the league in hitting thanks to a .306 batting average. He leads the team and places third of all CGL players with 21 runs scored and 22 RBI.
Duffy served as UCF's primary designated hitter in 2008, and is continuing that role a little with the Blue Caps. However, he also is adapting to left field as he most recently played at the new position in a 15-2 June 28 win over the Putty Hill Panthers Blue. Duffy went 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs in that victory. The graduate of Cypress Creek, meanwhile, has gotten a few starts at third base during the summer as well.
Brown has been receiving starts as the Blue Caps' DH and corner infielder in 2008, and has struck out just seven times compared to seven walks in the process. He was the Knights' leading hitter a year ago (.367) and racked up nine homers and 49 RBI in just his second year at the Division I level.
The Clark C. Griffith Collegiate Baseball League is a premier wood-bat league for NCAA players who have at least one year of college eligibility remaining. There are seven teams competing this season, and their schedules feature non-league games against members of the MCBL. Beltway currently has a 10-13 record and will be back in action at home Tuesday vs. the Vienna Senators.
For more information on the UCF baseball program, head to www.ucfathletics.com. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.