Davidson's Barna Named Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball
DAVIDSON, N.C. ? Freshman third baseman Andrew Barna has been named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American Team by Collegiate Baseball, becoming the third freshman All-American in Davidson history and adding another accolade to his growing resume.
Starting every game at third base for the Wildcats in 2010, Barna batted .329 with seven home runs and a team-high 17 doubles and 52 RBI in his first campaign. It was the eighth best single-season RBI total and the first to top 50 since Jay Heafner tallied 58 in 2005, the same season he was named an All-American by Collegiate Baseball.
Barna becomes the Wildcats’ third Freshman All-American and first since shortstop Robert Eenhoorn was selected by Baseball America in 1990, when the publication also named him a preseason and regular-season All-American. Davidson outfielder Billy Masse was named a Freshman All-American by Baseball America in 1985 and went on to earn All-America honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association in 1987. Heafner, Masse and Eenhoorn are three of the Wildcats’ four All-Americans, joined by George Weicker, who was honored by the ABCA in 1975.
In an outstanding rookie season, Barna was also selected to the SoCon All-Freshman Team and named February SoCon Player of the Month. He was the second straight Wildcat to earn a spot on the SoCon’s All-Freshman team, after Drew Gadaire did so in 2009, and the Wildcats’ second SoCon Player of the Month, after Heafner in March of 2005. He earned the league’s first honor of the season after leading the Wildcats to a 6-2 start by batting .452 with a home run and 10 RBI. Barna was also named SoCon Player of the Week for Feb. 22-28, the Wildcats’ 15th selection overall and first since Matt Webb in 2007.
Collegiate Baseball’s team is headed by Freshman Pitcher of The Year LHP Matt Purke, who was a perfect 13-0 with a 3.40 ERA and 122 strikeouts at TCU, and Freshman Player of The Year OF Jeremy Baltz of St. John’s, who batted .396 with 24 home runs and 85 RBI for the Red Storm.
Barna is one of three SoCon players to be honored, joining Lex Rutledge (relief pitcher, Samford) and Will Muzika (shortstop, Furman).
***A complete listing of the team can be viewed on "Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's" web site: www.baseballnews.com <http://www.baseballnews.com/>
FURMAN’S MUZIKA NAMED LOUISVILLE SLUGGER FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICAN
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Furman second baseman Will Muzika has been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America squad as selected by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, it was announced today.
Muzika, a product of Spartanburg’s Dorman High School who was recently tabbed Southern Conference Freshman of the Year by league media and coaches, batted .329 with a team leading 14 home runs and 55 RBI in 2010.
He started in 55 of Furman’s 56 games this spring, including 48 at second base, and his 14 home runs and 55 RBI represented new standards by a Paladin freshman and ranked third overall in school history. Furman’s 71 home runs in 2010 also marked a new school record.
Muzika is the second Paladin in the last three years to garner Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America accolades, succeeding teammate Reese Wade, who was named to the squad as a designated hitter in 2008.
Rutledge Named Freshman All-American
TUCSON, Ariz. - Samford freshman left-handed pitcher Lex Rutledge was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team, Collegiate Baseball announced on Wednesday.
Rutledge, a native of Tupelo, Miss., was one of 12 relief pitchers named to the 88-man squad. There were 25 total pitchers named to the team (13 starters, 12 relievers).
Rutledge had a stellar freshman season at Samford in 2010. Serving as the team's closer, Rutledge tied a Samford record with 11 saves. He also posted a record of 5-1 and an impressive 1.71 ERA in 47.1 innings of work. He also led the team in strikeouts with 65 on the season.
At the conclusion of the season, Rutledge was named second-team All-Conference in the Southern Conference, and he was named to the SoCon's All-Freshman team. Rutledge was also selected last week to participate in the 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Trials in June.
Rutledge is one of just three Southern Conference players named to the team. He is joined by Davidson third baseman Andrew Barna and Furman second baseman Will Muzika as the SoCon's representatives on the squad.