Copeland named ABCA All-American

On April 13, Ben Copeland ran up the steps out of the clubhouse, through the dugout and out… On April 13, Ben Copeland ran up the steps out of the clubhouse, through the dugout and out into center field of PNC Park for a game against the Duquesne Dukes.

As he made the trek, he realized just how close he might be to living out his dream of playing in the major leagues.

Just two weeks ago, that dream came even closer to becoming reality when Copeland, Pitt’s junior center fielder, became the highest Panther selected in the major league draft since Chris Jelic was drafted in the second round by the Kansas City Royals in 1985.

The San Francisco Giants selected Copeland with the 132nd overall pick, their first pick in the fourth round.

“It’s a very humbling feeling,” Copeland said of being drafted. “I was just hoping to come to Pitt as a freshman and get better and better every year and have a shot to get drafted as a senior.”

Drafted as a junior, Copeland has the opportunity to return to Pitt and finish his senior season just as former Panther Nick Evangelista did two years ago.

Copeland, however, said that he expects to sign his first pro contract within the next couple of days and will begin his career with San Francisco’s Rookie League affiliate in Arizona before playing in short-season, single-A ball for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes.

“I told the coaches before that I probably wasn’t going to be back next year and that was the toughest news to break,” Copeland said. “But it never really hit me until we got beat by Notre Dame that that was my last game at Pitt.”

Just recently, Copeland added another distinction to his years at Pitt. The American Baseball Coaches Association announced on Monday that Copeland was a third-team, All-America selection.

He becomes the second Panther to be named to an All-American team this season, joining second baseman Jim Negrych, who was selected as a first-team All-American by Baseball America earlier this month.

This accolade comes after a season that saw Copeland set numerous records at Pitt and help lead the Panthers back to the championship game of the Big East tournament for the first time since 1995.

Copeland finished his final season as Pitt’s leader in batting average (.384), runs (65), hits (84), doubles (23), triples (10), slugging percentage (.703) and stolen bases (29). His hits, at-bats (219), runs, doubles and triples totals set new school single-season records.

He also led the Big East in batting, runs, doubles, triples, stolen bases, slugging percentage and total bases, while he set or tied career records at Pitt in doubles, triples and runs scored.

“Overall I’m pleased,” Copeland said of his junior season. “Our team really grew up over the season and it was fun to help the younger guys out and watch them grow.”

Replacing Copeland’s play — which head coach Joe Jordano describes as seemingly effortless — will not be easy for Jordano and his staff in the upcoming seasons. However, Copeland feels that the Panthers can pick up right where this team left off.

“They will definitely be one of the top teams, but they have got to stay healthy,” Copeland said. “They have a good core of people coming back and it will be exciting.”

As for Copeland, his career begins now as he leaves Pitt behind and sets off to attain the ultimate goal of playing in the major leagues. It’s not going to be easy, but Copeland is more than ready to put in the much needed hard work.

“I play every play at 100 percent and play the game a little bit harder than most people do,” Copeland said. “That’s the way I have always done it.”