Gamble becomes third Aggie in three years to earn All-American status

GREENSBORO, N.C., May 30, 2007 – The Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I All-American baseball teams were announced today by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, and once again a North Carolina A&T Aggie made one of the teams.

Senior Charlie Gamble (6-6, 235, Pleasant Garden, N.C., Southern Guilford) was named a third-team All-American at first base on Wednesday, becoming the third Aggie in as many years to be named a Louisville Slugger All-American. Outfielder Jeremy Jones and pitcher John Primus earned their respective honors in 2005.

Wednesday’s honor adds to the number of accomplishments earned by Gamble in 2007. Gamble was named the 2007 MEAC Player of the Year on May 16. On the same day, he also earned his third career first-team All-MEAC selection. In late April, the N.C. A&T Department of Athletics named Gamble its Senior Male Athlete of the Year. CSTV.com and Brooks Wallace Watch List also dubbed him a national player of the year candidate.

“As a coach you reflect upon how he’s gotten better every year,’’ said N.C. A&T baseball coach Keith Shumate. “I think the work he has put in reflects positively on what lies ahead for him. I hope someone gives him an opportunity to play at the next level because as collegiate player I don’t know if there is much more he can accomplish. I don’t think (the postseason awards) will stop here, and he is a young man who deserves every award he gets.”

Gamble finished the season batting .409 with 56 RBI and a league-leading 10 home runs. He led the Aggies to an impressive run through the MEAC Baseball Tournament and a near upset of MEAC-power Bethune-Cookman in the championship game. In six games played in the tournament, he hit .423 with two home runs and six RBI to earn all-tournament honors.

During the tournament, Gamble also became the first Aggie to earn 300 hits in a career. He did it while hitting the 34^th home run of his career, which led the Aggies to win over Bethune-Cookman and earned them entrance into the winner-take-all championship finale.

Gamble is a career .365 hitter 193 career RBIs. He helped the Aggies win a MEAC Championship in 2005, and he holds nine Aggie records, including most games played and started. In addition to his on-the-field feats, he is a four-time member of the All-MEAC academic team and is a 4-time scholar athlete at N.C. A&T.