University of Connecticut Athletics
Springer & Barnes Named Louisville Slugger Preseason All-Americans
12/17/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Dec. 17, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - UConn baseball's George Springer and Matt Barnes have been named 2011 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-Americans. Springer, who was named a NCBWA Third Team All-American earlier in the week, has been chosen for First Team honors, while Barnes earns a spot on the Third Team.
Both Huskies are coming off a summer spent playing with the USA Collegiate Baseball Team as they competed in tournaments such as the V FISU World University Baseball Championship. During tournament play, Barnes was one of four players honored at the WUBC as he had the lowest individual ERA of the tournament with a 0.00 ERA. He finished the summer with a 3-0 record in four appearances and three starts and held an ERA of 1.42. Springer led Team USA with seven doubles, 34 total bases and 18 RBI. He finished the summer batting .292 in 18 games, while adding 21 hits, 12 runs and two home runs.
In 2010, Springer and Barnes led UConn to a program-best 48-win season in 2010 as their ballclub finished the year with a 48-16 overall record. They also led the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since the 1994 season as UConn hosted the 2010 Norwich Regional at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Conn.
Springer was an All-BIG EAST Second Team member in 2010, while Barnes was the lone Husky to be named to the All-BIG EAST First Team.
Springer finished the 2010 season with 84 runs scored, 60 walks and a .491 on-base percentage to lead the Huskies in those categories. He added 18 home runs and 33 stolen bases. He was also named to the 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament team.
Barnes led UConn with an 8-3 overall record and a 3.92 ERA. In 82.2 innings of work, Barnes struck out a team-best 75 batters and allowed 36 earned runs and 79 hits.
Springer is the only BIG EAST player to earn First Team honors, while Louisville's Ryan Wright and St. John's Jeremy Baltz were named to the Second Team. Barnes was joined by Louisville's Tony Zych and St. John's Kyle Hanson on the Third Team.
The Huskies' baseball season will begin Feb. 18 at the BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge when they face Purdue.
