Five members of the Nebraska Wesleyan University baseball team were named to the 2008 All-Independent baseball team that was announced Wednesday (May 29). NWU sophomore pitcher Zane Cascini was named to the AD3I First-Team. Outfielder Andy McGowan, designated hitter John Rust and first baseman Corey Petersen all were named to the Second-Team. Jared Meays was named to the Third-Team.

Cascini (RHP, So.) had a 6-1 record as NWU’s No. 1 starter this season. The Lincoln, Neb., native struck out 40 and walked just 15 in 59.0 innings of work. He had a 4.58 ERA overall with three complete games and one shutout. He was the GPAC Pitcher-of-the-Year and named to the NAIA All-Region III team. Cascini was on the AD3I Second-Team as a freshman.

McGowan (OF, So.), who was the AD3I Co-Rookie-of-the-Year in 2007, led NWU with 51 total hits on the season. The Lincoln, Neb., native set a new NWU single season record with 149 at-bats. McGowan batted .342 with 10 doubles, three home runs and a team-high 35 RBIs as NWU’s leadoff batter. He earned All-GPAC Second-Team recognition this season and was an AD3I honorable mention pick as a freshman.

Rust (DH, So.) was named to the AD3I Second-Team for the second straight season. He led the team with a .382 batting average and had a team-high six homeruns. He had a slugging percentage of .618 with six doubles, a triple and 25 RBI. He was named AD3I Player-of-the-Week during the season. The Lincoln, Neb., native was a First-Team All-GPAC selection this season.

Petersen (1B, Jr.) finished the year with a .367 batting average. The Omaha, Neb., native had a team-high 11 doubles with four home runs and 29 RBIs. He recorded 233 putouts and committed just six errors at first base. He was an honorable mention All-AD3I selection last season.

Meays (OF, Sr.) hit .361 and had 35 hits on the season. During GPAC play, Meays led the team with a .426 batting average. The Columbus, Neb., native had eight double and 15 RBIs. He committed just one error in 57 chances in the outfield. Meays was an All-GPAC Second-Team selection this season.

The All-Independent baseball teams were selected by baseball coaches at member institutions of the Association of Division III Independents.