Dec. 15, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - After earning All-America honors following a break-out 2010 season, Texas A&M baseball junior pitcher John Stilson was selected Wednesday to the 11th annual Pro-Line Athletic National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason All-America first team.
The hard-throwing right-hander went 9-1 with 10 saves last season as a sophomore and broke a 40-year-old school record by posting an incredible 0.80 ERA. Stilson allowed just 12 runs (seven earned) in 79 innings of work, striking out 114 and holding hitters to a .181 average. The Texarkana native picked up a win and a save in NCAA Regional play at Miami, earning a spot on the regional's all-tournament team.
Stilson, the 2010 national ERA leader, was just one of six Big 12 players honored by the NCBWA and one of only two from the league on the first team, joining pitcher Cole Green of Texas. He also garnered All-American accolades at the conclusion of last season from Baseball America, Louisville Slugger and Yahoo! Sports in addition to being named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.
Most of these preseason standouts will be nominated for the historic 25th annual Dick Howser Trophy, presented by Easton Foundations and the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Area Chamber of Commerce and voted upon by the NCBWA membership. The Howser Trophy will be awarded at a national media setting in 2011 at a date and site to be determined.
Stilson will help the Aggies gun for a school-record fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance on Feb. 18 when they open the 2011 season by hosting Le Moyne in a three-game series at Olsen Field.
For a complete list of NCBWA Preseason All-Americans visit www.sportswriters.net/ncbwa.