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WARRENSBURG, MO.: Southwest Minnesota State University junior second baseman Greg Laughlin has been named to the 2008 Daktronics All-Central Region first team.  The Daktronics All-Region squad is selected by the sports information directors of the Central Region.  It's the second year Daktronics has sponsored the award.  SMSU first baseman Nathan Koppi was a second team honoree last season.  Laughlin will now move to the national ballot for a chance to earn All-America honors. 

Laughlin, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., led the team with a .397 batting average with a team-high 60 base hits in 151 at bats.  A 2008 second team All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honoree, Laughlin finished second on the team with 35 RBI and ranked third with 10 doubles.  He also led the squad with 18 multi-hit games including a team-high six three-hit games and three four-hit games.  In 41 games played he went hitless in just 11 games.  Laughlin also finished second on the team with nine multi-RBI games.

Laughlin, a 2005 graduate of Eden Prairie High School, has a .352 career batting average ranking 14th all-time in school history while his 264 career assists ranks ninth.

Laughlin is the 13th SMSU player in school history to be named NCAA Division II all-region since the program moved to NCAA II in 1995.

Southwest Minnesota State University is a member of NCAA Division II and is located in Marshall, Minn. SMSU finished the 2008 season 24-20 overall and finished fourth in the NSIC with a record of 14-12.

2008 Daktronics All-Central Region Team
Player of the Year: Keith Hernandez, C, Emporia State
Pitcher of the Year: Mark Carey, Central Missouri
All-Region First Team:
Pitchers: Tyler Applehans, Emporia State, Mark Carey, Central Missouri, Chris Kessinger, Nebraska-Omaha,  Nick Schumacher, Wayne State
Relief Pitcher: Chris Matlock, Central Missouri
First Base: Dusty Washburn, Fort Hays State
Second Base: Greg Laughlin, Southwest Minnesota State
Third Base: Adam Carolan, Missouri Western
Shortstop: Evan Porter, Nebraska-Omaha
Catcher: Keith Hernandez, Emporia State
Outfielders: Brian Majors, Emporia State, Eric Shortell, Emporia State, Chris Weimer, Nebraska-Omaha
Designated Hitter: Mike Hallam, Central Missouri
Utility Player: Dustin Koca, Nebraska-Omaha

All-Region Second Team:
Pitchers: Tim Huber, Nebraska-Omaha, Chris Odegaard, Minnesota State, Danny Potje, Central Missouri,         Jake Schmidt, Concordia-St. Paul
Relief Pitcher: Aaron Burris, Emporia State
First Base: Marc Manganaro, Wayne State
Second Base: Seth Fox, Upper Iowa
Third Base: Iain Dykins, Central Missouri
Shortstop: Adam Kampsen, Northern State
Catcher: Ryan Majercik, Fort Hays State
Outfielders: Connor Crumbliss, Emporia State, Mike Feldman, University of Mary,
    Brenden Furrow, Concordia, Blaine Rutledge, Central Missouri
Designated Hitter: Lucas Wilsing, Upper Iowa
Utility Player: Brett Becker, Fort Hays State