SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- Slippery Rock University's Matt Adams compiled the highest batting average by an NCAA Division II player this spring, according to the final regular-season NCAA statistical report of the season.

Adams, a junior catcher-first baseman from Philipsburg and a graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola High School, had a .495 batting average this spring, which ranks as the highest average ever recorded by a Rock baseball player.

That was one of six top-10 national rankings attained by Adams this spring. He also ranked fifth nationally in on base percentage with a .566 mark, was eighth in both slugging percentage (.853) and total doubles (24), ninth in doubles per game (0.47) and 10th in total hits (91).

Adams, who ranked 12th in total bases with 157, also ranked in the top 50 nationally in six other statistical categories: runs per game (1.25, 34th), total runs (64, 35th), runs batted in per game (1.25, 37th), runs batted in (64, 40th), total home runs (14, 48th) and home runs per game (0.27, 49th).

Adams set a new school record for single-season slugging percentage (old mark: .807 by Brad Lowe, 1998) and tied the SRU single-season record for hits (91 by Joe Neidrick, 2003) and doubles (24, Adams, 2007).

He is expected to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft in early June. If he signs a professional contract and does not return to SRU for his senior season, he will also depart with the school's career batting average and slugging percentage records. His current career batting average of .454 is 51 points higher than the exisiting mark of .403 set by Sal Agostinelli (19981-83). His career slugging percentage of .749 is over 100 points higher than the current mark of .640 held by John Samsa (1981-83). 

Three of Adams' 2009 Rock teammates, Scott Bender, Billy Herman and Vince Lloyd, also finished in the top 50 in at least one statistical category. 

Bender, a senior right fielder from New Castle (Neshannock HS), ranked 28th in triples with five.

Herman, a senior third baseman from Grove City (Grove City HS), ranked 37th in the Toughest to Strike Out category with 18.6 at bats per strikeout.

Lloyd, a junior right-handed pitcher from New Brighton (Beaver Falls HS), ranked 42nd in strikeouts per nine innings (9.72) and 45th in victories (8).

As a team, The Rock's 36-15 final record earned them a No. 21 ranking in winning percentage (.706).

In offensive categories, SRU ranked fourth in batting average (.372), ninth in doubles per game (2.53), 11th in slugging percentage (.564), 13th in total doubles (129), 25th in runs per game (8.5) and 29th in total runs (433).

The Rock pitching staff as a unit ranked ninth in strikeouts per innings (8.8).

Despite these lofty statistics and compiling the second-highest win total among NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional teams this spring, The Rock was denied a berth in the NCAA playoffs that begin Thursday in Kutztown.