May 25, 2004
HOUSTON -
University of Memphis senior pitcher Jarrett Grube earned first-team All-Conference USA honors while junior shortstop Brent Dlugach and junior pitcher Derek Hankins were named to the second team in an announcement made by the league office Tuesday. This marks the first year in school history that three or more Tigers were named to postseason All C-USA teams.
The trio helped lead the Tigers back to the C-USA Tournament for the first time since 2001. Grube and Hankins combined to win 10 of the Tigers' school-record tying 15 league wins this season.
Grube finished the regular season with an 8-4 record and one save while posting the lowest ERA in league at 2.73. The Corunna, Ind., native finished second in C-USA with 100 strikeouts just behind Hankins, who led the league with 105. It was the first time in school history that a pair of pitchers surpassed the 100-strikeout plateau in the same season.
Grube also combined on three shutouts in league play and had the Tigers' only nine-inning, complete-game shutout after tossing a three-hitter against UAB.
Hankins picked up three C-USA Pitcher of the Week awards during the season and finished tied for the league-lead with six wins in C-USA play. The Altamont, Ill., posted an 8-5 record with a 4.59 ERA and led the team with three complete games. His 17-strikeout performance against Murray State tied a school and C-USA record held by former Tiger Chad Harville.
Dlugach held a team-leading .357 batting average in league games and also led the team with a career-high nine home runs and 15 doubles. The Germantown, Tenn., native also posted a team-leading 28 RBI in C-USA games and made just six errors at shortstop in 141 chances in league play.
Dlugach is the first Tiger shortstop in school history to be named to an All C-USA team. Daniel Uggla was the first Tiger infielder to be recognized in 2001 and the last Memphis player before Grube to earn first-team honors.
Memphis opens C-USA Tournament play Wednesday morning against third-seeded Southern Miss. Grube will get the start for the Tigers with first pitch set for 9 a.m.
