May 23, 2011
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By Brian Ormiston
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The first batch of Conference USA postseason awards were announced Monday as the C-USA All-Academic Team was released. And UCF senior Derek Luciano received a spot on the prestigious squad with a 3.50 grade-point average while majoring in entrepreneurship.
The third baseman from Bradenton, Fla., arrived at UCF in the fall of 2009 and has made the Dean's List twice along with appearing on the AD's Honor Roll every semester as a Knight.
Luciano battled a nagging injury throughout 2010 and has recovered to serve as UCF's every day third baseman in 2011. He currently owns a .263 average with 14 doubles, six homers, 30 RBI and 31 runs. Among his best games this year, Luciano had four RBI with a three-run homer against Boston College, hit .333 in the series at Rice, homered with three RBI in a win vs. Florida April 20 and added a four-bagger at Florida State May 8.
Luciano and the No. 4 seeded Knights travel to Pearl, Miss., Monday to get ready for the C-USA Championship presented by Trustmark. After practicing Tuesday, the Black and Gold meets No. 5 Memphis in the event's first game Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET.