BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-Samford junior pitcher Lex Rutledge was ranked 19th on Baseball America's Early 2012 College Top 100, released recently by the publication.
Rutledge, a native of Tupelo, Miss., spent his freshman season as the team's closer, posting an impressive 1.71 ERA, 11 saves and a 5-1 record.
As a sophomore in 2011, Rutledge served as one of the team's weekend starters. Rutledge had an ERA of 3.71 and a team-high 79 strikeouts. This season, Rutledge is expected to move back to the closer role.
Rutledge is one of just three Southern Conference players named to the list. He is joined Georgia Southern's Chris Beck (4th) and Victor Roache (7th) as the SoCon's representatives on the list.
He was also one of just two players from Alabama schools to make the top 100. Alabama pitcher Ian Gardeck was also named to the list. A total of 10 players on the list are members of teams that are on Samford's 2012 schedule.
Rutledge and the Bulldogs will open the 2012 season with a three-game home series against Radford, Feb. 17-19. The first pitch for the season-opener on Feb. 17 is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field.