June 12, 2009

The 2009 ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region Team was announced Friday and Tennessee first baseman Cody Hawn and catcher Blake Forsythe were among those honored. Both players were named to the second team.

Hawn and Forsythe combined to lead the offense for Tennessee in 2009. Each finished the year with batting average better than .330 while the pair accounted for 140 hits, 28 doubles, 37 home runs and 127 RBI.

Individually, Hawn became just the tenth Vol to ever win the team Triple Crown after he led the Vols in batting average (.364), home runs (22), RBIs (81), hits (72), doubles (15) and slugging percentage (.773). His 22 homers rank second on Tennessee's all-time list while he also ranks in top 10 for a season in RBIs (third), total bases (ninth) and slugging percentage (seventh).

Forsythe earned first-team All-SEC honors after having a breakout season at the plate. After only seeing action in 22 games as a freshman, Forsythe started 53 of 55 games behind the plate for Tennessee this season and turned in career numbers. The Memphis, Tenn., native hit .347 with 68 hits, 15 home runs and 46 RBIs. He also led the team with 40 walks and a .486 on-base percentage.

The postseason honor is the third for Hawn and second for Forsythe.