DETROIT - Wayne State University head baseball coach Ryan Kelley has announced that a trio of seniors will serve as team captains for the upcoming 2011-12 season.

Senior outfielder/DH Phil Swanson (Rochester Hills, Mich./Stoney Creek), in his second year as a co-captain, will be joined in that role by utility player #J.J. Ciennik# (Waterford, Mich./Mott) and relief pitcher Billy Hurley (Mississauga, Ont./St. Aloysius Gonzaga).

“At our final team meeting of the 2011 season, these captains were voted on by their teammates. Being nominated by their peers is indicative of the type of characteristics and leadership capabilities these three possess,” said Kelley. “All three perform diligently in the classroom, are active leaders in our community outreach efforts, and are driven to see our baseball program succeed on and off the field. They will complement each other well with their leadership styles and strive to be quality representatives of our baseball team philosophies, our athletic department, and university.

“Across 72 years of WSU Baseball history, they join a select fraternity that served as team captains. They have a special responsibility now, and we are excited for the 2011-2012 school year to begin.”

A .296 career hitter, Swanson has played in 102 games for Wayne State. He is a three-time GLIAC All-Academic selection and a former Dean's Award winner for the College of Engineering.

Ciennik battled through Hodgkin's Lymphoma to return to the field in 2011. He played in 29 games including eight postseason appearances, and was named to the GLIAC All-Academic Team.

Hurley earned All-GLIAC and All-Region honors after finishing 2011 with a 4-0 record, a 1.30 ERA and eight saves. He was also a GLIAC All-Academic honoree.

Last season the Warriors went 35-21, setting a school record for wins, and reached the championship game of the NCAA Midwest Regional. They also had 19 players receive All-Academic honors from the GLIAC, and accumulated over 1,200 hours of community service.