RICHMOND, Ky. -- Eric Bess, junior righthanded pitcher for coach Jim Ward's Eastern Kentucky University baseball team, has been selected to the GTE District IV First Team Academic All America Team, released today.

Bess, a native of Brooksville and a graduate of Bracken County High School, led the Colonels pitching staff this season with his 9-4 overall record and 7-1 mark against Ohio Valley Conference teams. Inside OVC play, Bess had four complete games and a 4.53 ERA, while winning his last six starts against conference teams.

"There was no doubt about it. Eric was our ace this year. This award typifies what the effort Eric gives in anything he approaches. He is very deserving of this honor and we're looking for big things from him as a leader and as a pitcher on next year's team, " Ward said.

Bess started 15 games this season and went at least five innings in 12 of these starts. An honorable mention All OVC pick this season, he led the staff in innings pitched (89), complete games (4) and strikeouts (60), while compiling a 6.27 ERA.

His last outing was a successful one as he pitched six and two thirds innings in picking up the win in Eastern's 7-5 verdict over Murray State in the opening round of the OVC Tournament, May 7. In this game which moved Eastern to the double elimination portion of the tourney, Bess struck out seven, walked just one and gave up three earned runs on eight hits.

Bess has compiled a 3.79 GPA in business management at Eastern. He has won the OVC Medal of Honors, signifying the top GPA attained by any baseball player among OVC schools, and is a multiple winner of awards for Dean's List, Colonel Scholar, Presidential Scholar and OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

To be nominated, student athletes must be a starter or important reserve and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher. Team members are selected by a vote of members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in the five state District IV area of Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

Bess' name will now appear on the national ballot for the 1998 national GTE Academic All America Baseball Team to be announced June 2.

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