AUGUSTA, Ga. – Augusta State’s Shannon Wilkerson was named to the 2008 Peach Belt Conference All-Conference squad, the conference office announced Wednesday.

A sophomore rightfielder from Dacula, Ga., Wilkerson enjoyed a tremendous season in 2008. He ranked among the Peach Belt Conference’s top 10 in nine offensive categories and paced the Jaguars in batting average (.380), slugging percentage (.718), hits (81), doubles (18), home runs (16), RBI (57) and stolen bases (14).

Wilkerson matched current assistant coach Chris Cooper (16 in 2002) for the most homers in a single season by a Jaguar since Tarry Stokes hit 25 in 1994. He was also named the Peach Belt Conference Player-of-the-Week on Monday, March 31. He had at least one hit in 46 of 57 games and had a season-high five hits vs. Georgia Southwestern on March 30. He also notched a season-high 10-game hitting streak between March 1 and March 16.

Wilkerson was the only Jaguar to be named to the all-league squad. USC Aiken’s Chad Jacobsen was named the PBC Player of the Year while Columbus State’s Korey Noles was tabbed the Pitcher of the Year. Francis Marion’s Preston Shuey was named Freshman of the Year and Columbus State head coach Greg Appleton earned Coach of the Year honors.

The 2008 All-Conference team, which consists of 20 players, was selected by position by the league’s 10 head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

2008 Peach Belt Conference Baseball 
All-Conference Team

Infielders
1B - Chad Jacobsen, USC Aiken
2B - Brandon Masters, Columbus State
3B - Rodney Rutherford, Columbus State
SS - Jason Morales, UNC Pembroke
UT - Rob Flanigan, North Georgia
UT - Ken Raborn, USC Aiken

Outfielders
Craig Brisson, North Georgia
Jonnie Geiger, Columbus State
Justin Greene, Francis Marion
SHANNON WILKERSON, AUGUSTA STATE
Josh Wilson, Armstrong Atlantic State

Catchers
Jared Barkdoll, Francis Marion
C.J. Bressoud, Columbus State

Designated Hitter
Richard Pirkle, GCSU

Starting Pitchers
Chris Curtis, North Georgia
Danny Davidson, Columbus State
Korey Noles, Columbus State
Peden Rucker, USC Aiken
Scott Wandless, USC Aiken

Relief Pitcher
Ryan Kirkman, UNC Pembroke

Pitcher of the Year
Korey Noles, Columbus State

Player of the Year
Chad Jacobsen, USC Aiken

Freshman of the Year
Preston Shuey, Francis Marion

Coach of the Year
Greg Appleton, Columbus State