April 1, 2009
LAS VEGAS - Former UNLV outfielder Eric Nielsen was one of 10 players named to the Mountain West Conference 10th Anniversary Baseball Team, the league announced today.
The team was selected by a combined panel of media, institutional and conference personnel and on-line fan poll. In order to be eligible for consideration, candidates must have been a first team all-Mountain West selection at least once in their careers.
Nielsen was a dominant force in the middle of the Rebel lineup during his three years on campus from 2002-04, and he left with the school's second-highest, all-time batting average, a .376 mark compiled over 180 career games. Nielsen's finest season came in 2004, when he garnered Louisville Slugger First Team All-American honors and was named the MWC Player of the Year after earning the league's triple crown. He hit .402 with 16 home runs and 87 RBI while helping the Rebels to a 37-24 record, the MWC tournament title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament, as well as being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 12th round.
Anniversary teams will be chosen for each of the 19 conference-sponsored sports during the 2008-09 seasons in celebration of the Mountain West's 10th anniversary.
Mountain West Baseball 10th Anniversary Team
Player Position School Years Played in MWC All-ConferenceChris Shelton Catcher Utah 2001 2001Jay Brossman First Base Utah 2004-2007 2004, 2005, 2007Jordan Pacheco Second Base New Mexico 2005-2007 2005, 2006, 2007Nick Romero Third Base SDSU 2006-2008 2007, 2008Taber Lee Shortstop SDSU 2000-2002 2001, 2002Anthony Gwynn Outfielder SDSU 2001-2003 2003Austin Adams Outfielder TCU 2006-2007 2006, 2007Eric Nielsen Outfielder UNLV 2002-2004 2004Danny Ray Herrera Pitcher New Mexico 2004-2006 2005, 2006Stephen Strasburg Pitcher SDSU 2007-Present 2008Jake Arrieta Pitcher TCU 2006-2007 2006, 2007Royce Ring Relief Pitcher SDSU 2000-2002 2001, 2002Karl Bolt DH/Utility Air Force 2004-2007 2007
