BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Samford junior outfielder Phillip Ervin was named to the first team Preseason All-America Team by Baseball America when the team was released on Thursday.
 
As a sophomore in 2012, Ervin batted .330 with a team-high 18 doubles. He also hit nine home runs, and drove in 45 runs, ranking third on the team in both categories. Ervin also led the team in stolen bases with 14 in 19 attempts.
 
Ervin had 23 multi-hit games and 12 multi-RBI games last season. He also had a team-best 16-game hit streak during the season.
 
Ervin helped lead the Bulldogs to the best season in school history, winning a school-record 41 games and earning the program's first-ever Southern Conference Tournament title and first NCAA Tournament bid.
 
During the summer, Ervin played for the Harwich Mariners in the prestigious Cape Cod League. Ervin was named the league's Most Valuable Player after leading his team in batting with a .323 average, RBI with 31, runs scored with 29 and stolen bases with 10 in 12 attempts. He ranked second on the team in home runs with 11 and in doubles with five.
 
Last month, Ervin was also named third team Preseason All-American by both Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game.
 
Ervin and the Bulldogs open the 2013 season on Feb. 15, when Samford plays host to Youngstown State. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field.