UF Baseball Names 2006 Award Recipients
Monday, November 27, 2006 | Baseball
The Gator Dugout Club, supporters of the University of Florida baseball program, recently announced its award winners from the 2006 season. Catcher Brian Jeroloman (Wellington, Fla.) and first baseman Matt LaPorta (Port Charlotte, Fla.) each took home two awards after the ballots were counted.
"I want to thank the Gator Dugout Club and all that they do for our program and players," said head coach Pat McMahon. "These are special awards because our members vote on performances throughout the year and are able to reward several individuals. All of our players appreciate the outstanding support provided to them by the Gator Dugout Club and look forward to seeing everyone at McKethan Stadium next spring."
Jeroloman, a sixth-round pick by Toronto in June's Major League Baseball Draft who signed with the Blue Jays, collected the Mr. Gator Baseball Award, symbolic of the player who most personifies the spirit of Gator Baseball. He was also the recipient of the P.A. Lee Memorial Award, presented to the Gator baseball player who best exemplifies P.A. Lee's positive and enthusiastic attitude. Lee was an assistant coach at UF from 1962-72. Jeroloman was first on the Gators in sacrifice hits (seven), sacrifice flies (four) and walks (38) and was the runner-up for the team lead with 39 runs batted in, just behind Gavin Dickey's total of 41. He tied for third on the club with nine multi-RBI outings, belted six homers and threw out 18 baserunners attempting to steal.
LaPorta earned both the Dave Fuller Award, presented annually to the year's most timely hitter, and the Steve Georgiadis Award, presented to the Gator baseball player who has most overcome adversity. Fuller guided the Florida's program from 1948-75 and compiled an overall mark of 557-354-6 (.610) over his 28 seasons at the helm. The Georgiadis Award is given in memory of former Gator pitcher Steve Georgiadis, who passed away on March 17, 1990.
The 2005 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, LaPorta was a consensus first-team All-American as a sophomore, when he led Division I with 26 homers and drove in 79 runs. Last season, he missed 13 games with an oblique muscle strain and hit .259 over 43 games. Despite the injury, the slugger led the Gators with 14 homers and a .410 on-base percentage and rated third with 38 RBI. Over his three-year collegiate career, LaPorta boasts a .298 average, is one homer shy of matching Brad Wilkerson's school standard of 55 homers and is sixth on UF's career list with 154 RBI.
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