BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— A pair of Samford players were named to Collegiate Baseball’s Preseason All-America teams for the 2021 season when the publication released the teams Tuesday morning. 
 
Second baseman Brooks Carlson was named to the first team, while pitcher Samuel Strickland earned third team honors. 
 
In the 15 games that were played in the 2020 season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlson ranked second in the nation in batting with a .500 (25-of-50) average. He hit four doubles and three home runs, and drove in 19 runs.
 
Carlson led the Southern Conference in batting average, and he tied for the league lead in hits with 25. He also ranked third in the league in RBI (19) and fourth in total bases (38).
 
In four appearances in the shortened season, Strickland posted a record of 3-0, with an impressive 1.17 Earned Run Average. Strickland struck out 30 batters, while allowing just one walk. 
 
Strickland ranked fourth in the Southern Conference in fewest runs allowed (4), and he tied for fourth in the SoCon in wins (3). He also ranked fifth in the league in ERA (1.17), strike outs (30) and strike outs per game (11.74).