June 24, 2003

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Former University of Missouri senior center fielder Jayce Tingler (Smithville, Mo.) has been named to the Rawlings All-Midwest Region First Team, as selected by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Tingler is the first Tiger to make the ABCA All-Region team since Ryan Stegall in 2000. He finished his collegiate career as Mizzou's all-time leader in hits (274), walks (168) and runs scored (226). He also finished second in career at-bats (784) and stolen bases (66) at Missouri. His on-base percentage of .482 for his career ranks him fourth all-time at MU, and his .525 on-base percentage this season led the Big 12. In addition, Tingler's .395 batting average ended the 2003 season as the second-highest mark in the league.

Among his numerous impressive accomplishments is his defensive ability in center; Tingler committed just two errors in 476 career chances (.996 fielding percentage), and none in his final two years at Mizzou. He was also 19-of-24 on the basepaths.

A 10th-round selection of the Toronto Blue Jays in this month's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Tingler has already begun his professional career with the Pulaski (Va.) Blue Jays of the rookie Appalachian League. He currently leads Pulaski and is 10th in the league with a .350 batting average through six games.