DURHAM, N.C.-Chase Burch, former AUM baseball standout, has been named the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball 2009 Rookie of the Year.

Chase is the designated hitter for the Pensacola Pelicans and was selected for the award by the league's field managers and media.

Burch hit .341 with nine home runs, 65 RBI and had 114 hits. He was tied for third in on-base percentage and was fourth in batting average. Earlier in the season, Burch had also represented the Pelicans at the 2009 All-Star game.

Burch graduated from AUM in 2008, where he was an All-SSAC performer. He hit .407 for the Senators with 16 home runs and 64 RBI. He was named MVP of the 2008 Southern States Athletic Conference tournament.

-AUM-