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Prado, Fontanez earn Big East honors

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By BRETT McMURPHY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 18, 2009

Updated: 05/18/2009 07:52 pm

TAMPA - USF's Lelo Prado was named the Big East Conference's baseball coach of the year Monday and sophomore pitcher Randy Fontanez was named a first-team All-Big East selection as voted on by the league's coaches.

Prado guided the Bulls to a second place finish in Big East play. The Bulls (32-23, 18-9 Big East) finished 1-1/2 games behind regular season champion Louisville.

"It's a great honor because it's from your peers," Prado said. "It's a tribute to our players and coaches and how hard they worked.
It's nice to do it at home in your hometown."

Fontanez was honored as a first-team selection, but did not get Pitcher of the Year honors. Instead that went to Louisville's Justin Marks. Prado said he thought Fontanez deserved the honor.

"Marks is a great pitcher," Prado said. "Either way [Fontanez or Marks] you can't go wrong. I'm sure that vote was pretty close."

USF senior catcher Trey Manz was a second-team All-Big East selection, while sophomore pitcher Derrick Stultz, freshman first baseman Todd Brazeal and sophomore outfielder Junior Carlin were third-team all-league picks.

Reporter Brett McMurphy can be reached at (813) 259-7928

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