Nov. 24, 2004

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -

Complete NCBWA Release in PDF Format
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Complete Wallace Award Release in PDF Format
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Senior right-handed pitcher Anthony Rea earned a pair of preseason honors this week after being named a Preseason All-American by the National College Baseball Writers Association and to the 2005 Brooks Wallace Award Watch List.

"Anthony has command of four pitches in the strike zone," said pitching coach Mike Zirelli. "He had a phenomenal year for us last season. We just look for more of the same from him in the upcoming year."

Rea was named to the NCBWA Preseason All-America Second Team after earning second team honors from the writer's association following the 2004 season. The Palo Alto native was also named to the Louisville Slugger Third Team and the All-West Coast Conference second team after leading the Bronco pitchers a year ago.

Along with the All-America distinction, Rea was named to the 2005 Brooks Wallace Award Watch List on Tuesday. The award is given annually to the nation's top collegiate player following the conclusion of the season. Last season, Cal State Fullerton's Kurt Suzuki won the first ever Brooks Wallace Award.

Rea is one of two players representing the West Coast Conference on the Wallace Award Watch List, as Gonzaga's Kiel Thibault also appears on the 58-player list. The list will be cut to 12 semi-finalists on Tuesday, May 24, 2005.

Rea will return to the mound in 2005 for the Broncos after setting a school record with 13 saves last season. A two-time All-Academic WCC selection, Rea ranked fourth in the country and paced the conference in saves. He also was tops on the team with a 1.68 ERA in 2004. He put together a 5-1 record on the mound, while striking out 53 batters in 53.2 innings of work.

The Broncos will begin their 2005 campaign on Friday, January 28, when they host UC Riverside in a 3:30 p.m. match-up.