TUCSON, Ariz – Jacksonville State’s
Kyle Bluestein and
Sam Eberle were both named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American Baseball Team by
Collegiate Baseball on Wednesday.
It marks the first time in school history the Gamecocks had two players earn Freshman All-America honors and the fifth straight season a JSU player has been named to the Freshman All-America squad.
“This is an outstanding honor for both Kyle and Sam,” said JSU head coach Jim Case. “They both played a tremendous role in the success of our team this year and I’m proud they were recognized for their accomplishments this season.”
Bluestein became the third Jacksonville State player to earn the OVC Freshman of the Year award last month. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native led the team with a .393 batting average with 21 doubles, nine home runs and 46 RBI. He was named to the OVC All-Newcomer team and also to the 2009 OVC All-Tournament squad after helping the Gamecocks advance to the OVC title game for the fifth time in six years.
Eberle lead the Gamecocks with 11 home runs and finished with season with 45 RBI. He was named to the OVC All-Newcomer team and also to the 2009 OVC All-Tournament team. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native was named OVC Player of the Week in April after slugging five home runs, including tying the JSU school record with three home runs vs Kennesaw State on April 14th.
The duo joins a list of former Gamecocks that earned Freshman All-America honors, including Todd Cunningham (2008), Ben Tootle (2007), Bert Smith (2006) and Donovan Hand (2005).