Aranas and Loker Named to Daktronics All-Southeast Region Team

AIKEN, S.C. – Nick Aranas and JJ Loker were selected to the 2010 NCAA Division II Daktronics All-Southeast Region team recently.

Aranas was a first team selection as a designated hitter, while Loker was tabbed to the second team as a utility player.

A first team All-Peach Belt Conference performer in 2010, Aranas finished the regular season leading the Pacers with a .415 (83-for-200) batting average. The batting average is the third-best in the Peach Belt Conference.

In total, the Lexington, S.C. native finished the 2010 season in the top 15 in the PBC in six different categories.

Aranas was second-best among all Pacers in 2010 with 53 RBIs and 46 runs scored. He was second on the squad in total bases over the course of the year as well with 129.

Aranas slugged a team second-best .645 and had a team-high on-base percentage of .481. Aranas captured a team-high 29 multiple hit games in 2010, including 21 two-hit games. He was second on the squad in multiple RBI games with 14. He was also second on the squad with 25 extra-base knocks. He had a team-high tying 13 doubles to go along with three triples and nine home runs.

The Lexington High School product owned the team season-high hitting streak, securing a hit in 14 consecutive games at one point during the regular season.

A true freshman out of Elkton, Va., Loker had a tremendously productive season for the Pacers during his freshman campaign.

In USC Aiken’s 51 games, Loker worked his way into 34 starts. Loker, who made 42 appearances in total, started in the outfield, at second base and designated hitter for the Pacers during the 2010 season.

Loker finished his first collegiate year hitting .348 (46-for-132). He concluded his year with an equal 25 runs scored and 25 RBIs.  He produced five extra-base knocks over the course of the year.

Loker owned a slugging percentage of .432 during the year, while also plucking a total of 57 bases. He was a perfect 4-for-4 on stolen base attempt. In the field, Loker had 52 putouts and 13 assists.

Loker concluded his first season in Pacer duds with 14 multiple hit games. He had five multiple RBI games.

Loker was chosen the Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Week on Apr. 26, 2010.

2010 Daktronics First Team All-Southeast Region

C  Sean Cotten, Tusculum College
1B Jason Rogers, Columbus State University
2B  Chas Anthony, Erskine College
3B  Craige Lyerly, Catawba College
SS  Barrett Kleinknecht, Francis Marion University
OF Bryan Fogle, Erskine College
OF  Sean Harrell, Georgia College and State University
OF  Mike Kitt, Mars Hill College
UT Jeremy Nowak, Mount Olive College
DH  Nick Aranas, USC Aiken
SP  Martin Dewald, Georgia College and State University
SP William Buzhardt, Erskine College
SP  Jackson Massey, Mount Olive College
SP Carter Capps, Mount Olive College
RP  Atlee Pearson, Erskine College

2010 Daktronics Second Team All-Southeast Region

C Richard Pirkle, Georgia College and State University
1B  Jared Richmond Tusculum College
2B  Payden Houser, Tusculum College
3B  Jordan Erisman, North Georgia College and State University
SS  Mills Rodgers, Carson-Newman College
OF  Bobby Leeper, Mount Olive College
OF  Wade Moore, Catawba College
OF  Nate Grabowski, Tusculum College
UT JJ Loker, USC Aiken  
UT Cameron Scott, Armstrong Atlantic State University
DH  Sean Finucane, Tusculum College
SP  Chris Rearick, North Geogia College and State University
SP  Don Sandifer, Francis Marion University
SP  Nick Lomascolo, Catawba College
SP  Tyler Collins, Tusculum College
RP  Tony Hearall, Mars Hill College
RP  Bradon Forshee, Francis Marion University
RP  Luke Wilhelm, Pfeiffer University
RP  Wade Dudley, Columbus State University
RP  Jacob Rickett, North Georgia College and State University
RP  Wil Huneycutt, Catawba College

2010 Daktronics Southeast Region Player of the Year:
Bryan Fogle, Erskine College

2010 Daktronics Southeast Region Pitcher of the Year:
Martin Dewald, Georgia College & State University