Albright College Athletics

ANNVILLE, Pa. - On Thursday, the Commonwealth Conference announced the 2009 all-conference honorees. Earning a place on this year’s first team was senior third baseman Jason Dunkelberger (Shillington, PA/Governor Mifflin). Senior pitcher Tim Flannery (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) and junior pitcher Casey Lawrence (McSherrystown, PA/Delone Catholic) each earned a place on the all-conference second team.

Dunkelberger’s first team selection comes on the heels of his best overall season to date in the Albright uniform. The Shillington, Pa. native led the Lions in multiple categories at the plate. In his team leading 131 at-bats, Dunkelberger produced a career best 42 hits, 10 doubles, five homeruns, and 37 RBI’s. He was also responsible for 27 runs scored and finished the year off with a team high .321 average. Dunkelberger’s slugging percentage of .511 also led the Lions offense. Defensively, Dunkelberger was responsible for 25 putouts, while also earning 62 assists.

In his final season with the Lions, Flannery put together one of the strongest finishes on the mound in recent years. Currently the all-time career and season strikeout leader, Flannery will leave Albright with 205 career strikeouts and had 83 strikeouts (18th in the nation) in ’09. The lefty starter threw a total of 75 1/3 innings in 13 appearances on the hill, and ended the season with a 3.35 ERA and a 4-5 record.

To cap off his amazing season, Flannery threw a complete game to help Albright defeat Elizabethtown College in day one of the Commonwealth Conference tournament. A one time Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week, Flannery was also named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Pitcher of the Week as well.

Lawrence’s all-conference selection this season is the second of his standout career. The righty starter made a total of 12 appearances this season, throwing a combined of 76 2/3 innings. He closed out his junior season with a team best 2.82 ERA and 6-1 record. Lawrence also added his name to the record books, tying the single season shutout record of two. His 73 strikeouts ranked him second on the team in that category, and his five walks allowed this season ranks him second in the nation for total walks allowed in a nine inning game. A two time Commonwealth Conference Pitcher of the Week, Lawrence was also named ECAC DIII South Pitcher of the Week.

Albright ended their 2009 season with their second straight appearance in the Commonwealth Conference tournament and an 18-18-1 overall record. In the conference the Lions placed fourth with a 6-4 record. One of the true highlights to the season was when the red and white shutout Kean University (NJ) who at the time was ranked fourth in Division III baseball.