NEWARK, Del. – Seniors Kyle Davis and Scott Shockley have been selected to serve as captains on the 2009 University of Delaware baseball team, head coach Jim Sherman announced today.

Davis (top right) and Shockley (bottom right) will help lead a Blue Hen squad looking to rebound from a 22-31 record last season. Delaware will rely on a strong corps of returning players as well as some youthful additions to help the program attempt to recapture its 2007 glory that saw the team finish one game shy of the Colonial Athletic Association championship.

Davis, a native of Ewing, New Jersey (Ewing H.S.), was the only member of last year’s team to start in each of the Hens’ 53 games. After splitting time between shortstop and second base, he earned the team’s 2007 Defensive Player of the Year award for his glove work.

Delaware’s leadoff hitter in every game, Davis also posted team-highs with 226 at bats, 66 hits, 50 runs, 22 doubles, and 104 total bases. He eventually finished third in the CAA in doubles and assists (174), while he placed ninth with 264 plate appearances and 10th in at bats.

Over the past three years, Davis has appeared in 143 games with 136 starts. During that time, he has posted a .287 batting average with nine home runs and 69 RBI. He has also scored 106 runs and recorded 43 doubles.

Scott Shockley, a native of Milton, Delaware (Cape Henlopen H.S.), led all Blue Hen outfielders with 48 appearances and 42 starts last year. He led the team with 30 walks and finished fourth on the squad with a .416 on-base percentage.

During the season, Shockley posted 11 multi-hit efforts, including four three-hit performances. From March 12-21, he recorded a career-best nine-game hitting streak, capped nicely with a five-hit performance including a home run and two doubles in a doubleheader against Lafayette.

Over his career, Shockley has appeared in 140 games with 101 starts. In 421 at bats, he has hit .280 with seven home runs and 64 RBI.

Along with the two captains, the Blue Hens return four other seniors and 12 letterwinners. The squad will open up the 2009 campaign with a four-game series against Longwood in Virginia. The season opener begins at 1 p.m. on February 20.