Morgan Named Ivy Player of the Year

Two weeks ago, junior first-base-man Dave Morgan captured the Ancient Eight's coveted Blair Bat award as the league's best hitter. Now Morgan has an another baseball accolade to add to his growing collection.

The Ivy League named Morgan this year's player of the year for his performance at the plate and in the Crimson's infield. Morgan was also the league's lone unanimous selection for the first-ever All-Ivy baseball team.

Morgan finished this season with a league-leading 470 average to go with his five doubles and six home runs. Morgan also knocked in a league-high 24 runs this year.

"I wasn't really thinking about [the award]," Morgan said. "All season, I was just trying to go out and focus on playing well."

The Needham, Mass. native has turned some heads in the major leagues with his power and consistency, and Morgan said he has been contacted by a few professional teams, including the Colorado Rockies, recently.

"[Several teams] have expressed interest, but I am not going to take their offers unless it would be impossible to refuse," Morgan said.

Morgan also said that he felt his situation was very good.

Right now, he plans on playing in the highly competitive Cape Cod League this summer.

Morgan, however, will wait until after June 3, draft day for Major League Baseball, to make any decisions about his future.

Joining Morgan on the first-team All-Ivy list is junior short-stop Mike Giardi. Harvard Captain Mike Hill and senior pitcher Ray Desrocher received second team honors, while freshman outfielder Mark Levy got an honorable mention from the league's eight head coaches.

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Giardi Named Captain: To go along with his first-team All-Ivy honors, Giardi also received his teammates' votes for the position of captain of next year's baseball team.

The Salem, Mass. native finished the season hitting .375 overall with nine doubles, eight in Ivy play. Giardi also hit one triple and two home runs this season.

Players said, however, that it is Giardi's leadership ability that is his greatest asset.

"Mike's a real leader, especially in the infield," Morgan said. "He really takes control of the infield. He'll be a great captain, one who leads by example."

Softball

Sophomore Jana Meader is the Harvard softball team's only representative on the first team All-Ivy squad.

The Joilet, Ill. native was a unanimous choice at the designated player position.

Rookie second baseman Danielle Feinberg and senior outfielder Katie Fitta made second team All-Ivy, while freshman shortstop Amy Reinhard received an honorable mention.

"I am really surprised," Feinberg said. "There were quite a few talented infielders in the Ivy League this year."

Feinberg said it was hard for her starting as a freshman this season because of the added pressure of being a rookie.

"Everyone worked really hard this season," Feinberg said. "But we didn't do as well as we should have. We were looking towards our nemesis Princeton all year, and when we lost to them, it kind of took the wind out of our sails."

Feinberg also said that although the team would be losing its best pitcher in senior Christine Carr, the Crimson is still looking forward to next season. One thing about the Crimson will not be changing. Junior Nancy Johnson will remain as the team's captain.