Quote:Vaclavik, Tully Named to ABCA/Rawlings All-South Central Region Teams

June 27, 2005

HOUSTON - University of Houston juniors Justin Vaclavik and Travis Tully were recently named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-South Central Region Teams for their respective performances during the 2005 season.

Vaclavik was the Cougars' lone honoree on the First Team as a relief pitcher, while Tully was named to the Second Team as an outfielder.

Both players wrapped up their collegiate careers after being drafted in the 2005 MLB First-Year Player Draft in early June. Vaclavik was taken in the seventh round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, while Tully was a 23rd-round choice of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

A native of Bay City, Texas, Vaclavik emerged as the Cougars' closer in 2005. He finished the season with a team-high 12 saves, the second-highest total in UH single-season history and moved into second place in UH career history with 13 saves.

In addition to his saves total, Vaclavik posted a 4-2 record with a 3.21 ERA, 51 strikeouts and only nine walks in 42.0 innings of work.

Tully was the Cougars' leading offensive player in 2005. He led UH with a .364 batting average and was one of only three players to start all 59 games.

In addition, he topped all Cougar sluggers with 83 hits, 19 doubles, 11 stolen bases and a .438 on-base percentage on the way to being named to the All-Conference USA First Team.

The Richmond, Texas, native was even better in C-USA games only where he batted .430, the second-highest total in league games only in C-USA history.

All 285 Division I baseball-playing schools were divided into eight regions. The South Central Region consists of 35 schools. The 35 coaches nominated their own players for recognition and then voted to select the All-South Central Region First and Second Teams. First-Team honorees become nominees with the remaining All-Region First Team award-winners for All-America recognition.