CHARLESTON, S.C. – Redshirt-freshman Daniel Aldrich (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) has been named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) National Freshman Player of the Year, as announced by the organization today. Aldrich is joined by Texas right-handed pitcher Corey Knebel, who was named Freshman Pitcher of the Year.

Aldrich, who was honored as a NCBWA Freshman All-American First Team selection yesterday, was named the 2011 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year by the Southern Conference Sports Media Association and the league’s coaches, as well as being named to the All-SoCon First Team. The right-fielder led all Division I freshmen in home runs (22), RBIs (73), slugging percentage (.739) and total bases (164). He had 25 multi-hit games on the season and had a team-best 17-game hitting streak in February and March.

Aldrich was previously named Collegiate Baseball’s National Freshman of the Year last week and was also named a semifinalist for the 2011 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, awarded to the nation’s top amateur baseball player. Aldrich also garnered Louisville Slugger Second Team All-American and First Team Freshman All-American honors.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Web site, www.ncbwa.com.