Quote:ATLANTA – Georgia State center fielder Josh Merrigan and pitcher-infielder Matt Rose have been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team, selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

A center fielder from Marietta, Ga., and Walton High School, Merrigan enjoyed the most productive freshman season in Georgia State history with a .353 batting average, 84 hits, 52 runs scored and 36 runs batted in. He belted 15 doubles, five triples and four homers and was 12-for-12 on stolen bases.

Merrigan was named Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year – the first for the GSU program -- and was tabbed to the All-CAA second team and the CAA All-Rookie team. He also earned three CAA Rookie-of-the-Week honors.

Rose, a right-handed pitcher who also played first base and third base, was selected as a multi-position player. The Melbourne, Fla., native (Palm Bay HS) posted a 3-2 record with five saves and a 2.55 earned run average, striking out 30 in 35.1 innings. He hit .283 with four homers and 32 RBI in 45 games while fielding at a .989 clip. Rose was named to the CAA All-Rookie team and was twice selected conference Rookie of the Week during the season.

These two talented freshmen helped the Panthers to a 35-21 mark in 2013, the third-highest victory total in school history.

“It’s a great honor for any program to have an All-American, but to have two Freshman All-Americans is a tremendous accomplishment,” GSU head coach Greg Frady said. “Both of these young men worked very hard and are most deserving of this recognition. They make our entire Georgia State community proud.

“This is a very exciting time for the Georgia State baseball program with the team that we have returning as we move into the Sun Belt Conference,” Frady added.

Merrigan and Rose join 2009 selection Justin Malone as Freshman All-Americans under Frady.

Georgia State Athletics boasts a total of four Freshman All-Americans for 2012-13, with basketball standout R.J. Hunter and golfer Jonathan Grey along with Merrigan and Rose.