PEORIA, Ill. -- Bradley junior right-hander Eitan Barbalat (Thornhill, Ontario/Westmount Collegiate Institute) has been named a second-team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American, according to an announcement by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) this afternoon.
Boasting a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average as a cell and molecular biology major, Barbalat completed the 2007 season with a 1-2 record and one save to go along with his sterling 1.61 earned run average in 11 mound appearances. In three seasons with the Braves, Barbalat now owns a 2-3 record with a 2.79 ERA in 20 career appearances. Barbalat's 2006 season ended after just six appearances when he developed a blood clot in his right shoulder, requiring surgery. He bounced back with his best season this spring, helping the Braves (32-21) to their best campaign since 1996. Barbalat did not allow an earned run in any of his last seven appearances, including a six-inning stint in his only start of the season April 18 against Chicago State.
In the classroom, Barbalat has earned a spot on the Bradley Athletic Director's Honor Roll, Missouri Valley Conference Honor Roll and the Dean's List in each of his first six college semesters. One of two baseball representatives on the Braves Council, Bradley's student-athlete advisory board, Barbalat also volunteered in the Emergency Department at OSF Medical Center during the 2007 spring semester.
In order to be eligible for the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America program, baseball players must maintain a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average, complete a full academic year at the nominating institution and be a starter or important reserve. Nominees are first voted upon at the district level by active CoSIDA members. Barbalat was joined on the District V squad by his battery mate, junior catcher Ryan Eigsti.
Selected for the second team by the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Committee, Barbalat becomes just the second Bradley Baseball player to earn ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America honors, following former catcher Brad Canada, who was a second-team pick in 2004 and a first-team selection in 2005. Barbalat was the only Missouri Valley Conference player to land on any of the three University Division Academic All-America baseball teams.
