Dec. 19, 2003

Poughkeepsie, NY - Marist College baseball player Keith Brachold earned the program's first award of the season, being named a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America Third Team, by the Collegiate Baseball News.

"This is a great honor for Keith," said first-year head coach Joe Raccuia. "To be recognized as one of the top players in the nation is a reflection of his performance over the last two years and we expect Keith to have another successful season and help our program back to the NCAA Regionals."

Brachold had a breakout season as a sophomore, starting everyday in right field for the Red Foxes. He led the team with his .421 batting average and posted the program's second highest single-season total with 90 base hits. He tied for the team lead with 48 RBI, as he knocked out eight homeruns, 17 doubles and a pair of triples. Brachold scored a team-best 56 runs, and swiped a team-high 16 bases, as he earned All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) First Team accolades.

Over the course of his career, Brachold has accumulated 121 base hits, and enters his junior campaign with a batting average of .359. In his first two seasons, Brachold has recorded 22 doubles and 11 homeruns. He has also driven in 62 runs and stolen 19 bases.

The Red Foxes posted 33 wins during Brachold's sophomore campaign, after putting up a school-record 42 victories in his first season. As a freshman, Brachold helped the Red Foxes to a MAAC Regular Season and Tournament victory, as well as a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Marist will open the 2004 February 20th, when it travels to McNeese State for a three-game series. The Red Foxes open MAAC play March 27th at Fairfield and begin the home portion of its season on April 1st, hosting Central Connecticut State. The MAAC Tournament will be hosted by Marist, May 27-29th, at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY.