Dec. 17, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford sophomore pitcher Lex Rutledge was named third-team Louisville Slugger preseason All-American on Friday.

This marks the second preseason All-America team Rutledge has been named to so far in the preseason. Earlier this week, Rutledge was named third team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

As a freshman in 2010, Rutledge tied a Samford record with 11 saves. He also posted a record of 5-1 and an impressive 1.71 ERA in 47.1 innings of work. Rutledge, a native of Tupelo, Miss., led the team in strikeouts with 65 on the season.

Rutledge had an impressive summer as well. He spent the first part of the summer playing for the Harwich Mariners in the Cape Cod League, and then he went on to participate in the trials for the 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

Rutledge was one of just two Southern Conference players on the All-America teams, and he was the only player from the state of Alabama on the team. College of Charleston third baseman Matt Leeds joins Rutledge on the third team.

Rutledge and the Bulldogs open the 2011 season on Feb. 18 when they play host to Western Illinois in the first game of a three-game series at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The first pitch for the season-opener is scheduled for 6 p.m.