3 baseball Hoosiers honored

As the IU baseball season came to a close with the Penn State tournament loss, three Hoosiers earned honors for their efforts. \nSenior Vasili Spanos, the Hoosiers' offensive workhorse all year, was recognized for his accomplishments by being named to the All-Big Ten first team at third base. \n"He had a very good year," coach Bob Morgan said. "He led the Big Ten in virtually every offensive category. And he played hurt the last two weeks and really couldn't drive the ball." \nSpanos led the Big Ten in batting average (.434), on-base percentage (.525), slugging percentage (.778), home runs (eight), runs scored (31), total bases (77) and was second in hits (43). \nSenior Kenny Marrs said he believes that Spanos is not finished. \n"He produced every year; his career is not over," Marrs said.\nCoach Bob Morgan agreed and said Spanos should produce at the professional level. \nSenior Jacob Cary said he knows Spanos could have been the Big Ten Player of the Year. \n"As a team, we know that he was the player of the year," Cary said. "The guy was amazing, playing hurt the last part of the year and still dominating the way he did."\nAlso making the All-Big Ten team was sophomore Corby Heckman. Heckman was named to the third team at second base after an outstanding season where he started on the bench for the first part. \nMorgan said he saw a player making the most of his opportunities. \n"Several key injuries really set us back," Morgan said. "But on the other hand, (the injuries) gave Corby a chance to become a good offensive threat." \nMarrs said he also appreciated Heckman's efforts and said Spanos and Heckman were big reasons for IU's success this season. \nThe third honor went to freshman pitcher Josh Lewis, who made the All-Big Ten tournament team after a brilliant performance in the Hoosiers 8-1 win over Northwestern. Lewis went the distance, throwing a nine-inning, five-hit, seven-strike-out gem, good for his third complete game of the 2003 season and improving his overall record to 5-2.\n"Josh came in and did a heck of a job," Marrs said. "He did what he had been doing all year -- shut them down."\nMorgan said he sees no reason why Lewis' success won't carry over to IU's 2004 campaign. \n"I really think that he's going to build on this year, and he'll be tougher next year," he said.\nWhile Cary has already played his last season in an IU uniform, he said he feels that he is leaving the pitching staff in good hands. \n"They have some good pitching in place for next year," Cary said. "Lewis has the potential to be a No. 1 starter someday"