June 9, 2004

CHARLOTTE, NC - Charlotte 49ers first baseman Jamie Rusco has been named to the inaugural NCCSIA (North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association) All-State University Division Baseball team. He joins women's soccer players Courtney Crandell and Kim Moore, men's soccer player Joe Lampert and softball player Jessica Moore as 49er student-athletes selected All-State by the NCCSIA.

Rusco, a senior, enjoyed a stellar season in which he led the 49ers in seven offensive categories. He posted career-highs with a .362 batting average, 12 doubles, 14 home runs, 49 RBI, 42 walks, a .660 slugging percentage and a .474 on-base percentage. Rusco's 14 home runs are tied for the fifth-highest single-season total in the program's history.

This past season, Rusco blasted two home runs in a game against High Point. He also connected on a walk-off home run against Saint Louis, which helped the 49ers complete a series sweep of the Billikens.

Rusco, who transferred to Charlotte from Barton County Community College, finished his two-year career with a .327 batting average, 20 home runs and 76 RBI.