For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 5, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

ALAMIA IS UTPA'S FIRST BASEBALL FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN

EDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American's baseball team has recorded another first.

Freshman outfielder Louie Alamia (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) has become the first Bronc to be named a freshman All-American. Alamia was one of 15 outfielders honored by Collegiate Baseball.

Alamia led the Broncs in hitting (.381) and on-base percentage (.453) this season, and was second in stolen bases (15 for 19) and slugging percentage (.517). Ranked second nationally among freshmen in hitting for much of the season, his 22-game hitting streak during the season tied the all-time record at Texas-Pan American. He finished the season with a 12-game hitting streak.

Alamia finished third among Broncs with 16 multiple-hit games, and was tied for fourth on the team with six multiple-RBI games. He had five hits in a game against NCAA Tournament qualifier Oral Roberts April 11th. He also made only two errors all season and compiled a .980 fielding average while starting 48 games in either right field or left field, and making one pitching appearance.

"It's very exciting for us and for the community," said UTPA Head Coach Willie Gawlik. "It's very exciting for our program and for the university as well. It's well-earned and well-deserved, and it shows that when you work hard, good things happen. Louie is a team player. During his streak, a few times we had to have a bunt, and he got the bunt down, got a base hit, and kept the streak alive."

"It came as a real surprise to me," said Alamia's father, Luis Antonio Alamia, who played center field for the Broncs under Head Coach Larry Ensminger before graduating in 1966. "Louie has a very good work ethic, and Coach Gawlik brought out the best in him this year. He is very disciplined, he works hard, and that's just the type of person he is."

Alamia is currently playing for the Carolina Warriors of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League.
The Broncs finished their first season under Gawlik with a 21-33 record.

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