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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia head baseball coach Brian O’Connor has announced the hiring of Billy Messer to the program’s baseball administration position. Messer comes to Virginia after spending four successful seasons as a starting second baseman at Slippery Rock University.

“I am thrilled to have Billy join our Virginia baseball staff,” O’Connor said. “Billy brings a great work ethic, baseball knowledge and energy to our program. He will help us in day-to-day operations which will really benefit our players and coaches. He fits perfectly with what our program is all about, and I am happy he is beginning his career at UVa.”

At Virginia, Messer will have a wide range of responsibilities, as he will be involved in every aspect of the program. He will serve as the team’s travel coordinator and also will assist with all aspects of game day operations and on-campus recruiting.

“I am very excited about joining the Virginia staff and working with such a highly respected program,” Messer said. “I would like to thank Coach O’Connor for the opportunity. I am looking forward to learning under him and his staff and working with the players here.”

Messer was a .317 career hitter at Slippery Rock and finished with 197 career hits in 181 games. He concluded the 2010 season with a career-high .373 batting average and was second on the team in doubles (17). Over his final two seasons, he combined to hit .358 with 41 extra-base hits.

Messer was a three-time All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference-West honoree. He earned two first-team All-PSAC-West honors and one second-team award during his SRU career. Messer notched honorable mention NCBWA all-region honors and served as a team captain during his senior year in 2010. As a junior he was a second-team ABCA all-region performer and an honorable mention NCBWA all-region honoree.

He also served on the Student Athletic Advisor Council all four years and was the organization’s treasurer his senior year.

A native of Slippery Rock, Pa., Messer graduated from Slippery Rock in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in finance.

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