Jan. 7, 2008

DETROIT - Wayne State senior outfielders Derek Ranck (Clarkston, Mich.) and Tony Hines (Detroit, Mich./Mumford) were named North Central Region Preseason All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-America Committee.

Additionally, the ABCA recognized sophomore outfielder Ryan LaPensee (LaSalle, Ont./St. Thomas of Villanova) as a "Player to Watch," and junior pitcher John Kessick (Niles, Mich.) as a "Newcomer to Watch."

Ranck finished with the second-highest batting average (.403) on the team and eighth-best in the GLIAC during the 2007 season. He had a team- and conference-best 73 hits and, in addition to earning All-GLIAC and All-Region accolades, was named WSU's Most Valuable Player.

Hines, an All-GLIAC and All-Region honoree in 2007, hit .355 last season and led the squad in on base percentage (.462), runs scored (48), RBI (51), triples (4), total bases (115), and walks (30).

The 2007 GLIAC Freshman of the Year and an Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection, LaPensee led the Warriors in batting average (.406) and stolen bases (16), and finished second on the team in runs scored (45) a year ago.

Kessick went 8-5 with a 2.66 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 74.1 innings for Lake Michigan College last season, earning First Team All-MCCAA as well as NJCAA All-Region honors. Kessick was selected by Atlanta Braves in the 47th Round (1412nd overall) of the June 2006 amateur entry draft.

Wayne State opens the 2008 season Feb. 23-24 at the GLIAC/GLVC Challenge hosted by Northern Kentucky University.