June 10, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State baseball player Kevin Dubler added another accolade to his resume Tuesday, as the catcher was named to the 2008 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Midwest All-Region Second Team. Dubler, who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the eighth round of the 2008 MLB First-Year Player Draft, was the Redbirds' lone representative on the list.
The Downers Grove, Ill., native was an All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team selection at catcher in 2008. He enjoyed his best season in a Redbird uniform, as the left-handed hitter led the team in every offensive category. Chosen as the team's most valuable player, Dubler batted .358 with 23 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 44 walks and 56 RBI.
A semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award, he also led the team with 20 multiple-hit games and 16 multiple-RBI games, and was 15-for-18 in stolen bases. Dubler's 23 doubles broke the ISU single-season record for doubles in a season, passing former Redbird Greg Mote, who hit 22 doubles in 1994.
"Kevin's numbers speak for themselves," said Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee. "He had a really big year. `Dubes' didn't get as much exposure as some of the other honorees because we didn't qualify for the conference tournament, but the other coaches around the area know about our league and the quality of pitching.
"Dubler had a great career at Illinois State. He's very deserving of any award because not only is he a great player, but also a great person."
