May 17, 2003

DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis shortstop Ryan Coultas and outfielder Dustin Soderman have been named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings 2003 All-West Region Second Team, it was announced Friday. It marks the second time Coultas has been named to the All-Region team while it is the first such honor for Soderman.

Coultas, a sophomore from Ventura, batted .371 for the season, leading the Aggies with 20 doubles, 30 walks, and 15 stolen bases. His 64 hits tied for third on the team while his three home runs placed him in a tie for second. In the final series of the regular season, Coultas was hit by a pitch, breaking a finger on his throwing hand. The injury limited him to a designated hitter role in the California Collegiate Athletic Association conference tournament, where he batted .300 with a triple and two RBIs in 10 at-bats. Prior to the NCAA Division II West Region Tournament, Coultas underwent surgery on the finger, ending his season. Earlier this month, Coultas was named to the All-CCAA First Team for a second consecutive season. Last season Coultas was a First-Team All-West Region selection.

Soderman, a senior from Sacramento, is having his finest season as an Aggie. He is batting .328 with 14 doubles, two home runs, 31 RBIs and 64 hits. He set career-highs in every offensive category while playing in 54 of the Aggies 55 games, 53 as a starter. Over the last 20 games, he is leading UC Davis with a .400 average at the plate. Earlier this month, Soderman was one of four Aggies named to the All-CCAA First Team.

UC Davis is participating in the 2003 NCAA Division II West Region Tournament, having won its first-round game against top-seeded Sonoma State on Thursday. The Aggies boast a 33-22 record through the first round of the tournament.