Shane Peterson has a 3.85 GPA and leads the Big West in on-base percentage.

May 8, 2008

LONG BEACH--Long Beach State first baseman Shane Peterson (Temecula) was named first team Academic All-District by CoSIDA on Thursday, as the junior all-conference player will now be eligible Academic All-America honors.

Peterson, who carries a 3.85 GPA as a finance, real estate and law major, was named the 49ers nominee for Big West Male Scholar Athlete of the Year earlier this year and is a two-time all-league selection. Peterson is a two-time All-Big West pick, earning first team honors last year and second team accolades as a freshman.

He was rated as the 70th-best college prospect entering the season and has watched his stock rise after ranking in the Big West top-10 in six offensive categories-- average (.377-4th), slugging (.599-2nd), On-Base Percentage (.490-1st), walks (34-1st) and doubles (13-7th). He has also slugged seven home runs.

The youngest of five children, Peterson has been a multi-faceted player over his three year career, starting in left field and pitching as a freshman, playing first base and being the team's Sunday starter in 2007, before primarily playing first base this season.

The Dirtbags (28-17, 9-6 Big West) return to conference play this weekend, tied for third with UC Santa Barbara (30-17, 9-6 Big West), who LBSU hosts in a three-game series, beginning on Friday at 6:30 p.m., and continuing Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.