Eshelman and Garza Named to Preseason NCBWA All-American Team

Eshelman and Garza Named to Preseason NCBWA All-American Team

NCBWA Preseason All-American Team (PDF)

FULLERTON, Calif. – Thomas Eshelman and Justin Garza were named to the 14th annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason All-American First Team, it was announced by the organization on Wednesday.

 

Eshelman, Fullerton's Friday-night starter in 2013, returns to the mound after being named the Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Collegiate Baseball, the NCBWA and the Big West Conference.

 

Eshelman received several All-American accolades (Louisville Slugger, 1st Team; Baseball America, 1st Team; NCBWA, 2nd Team; NCBWA/Rawlings, 2nd Team) following his freshman season.

 

Hefinished his rookie campaign with a 12-3 record and 1.48 ERA, setting Cal State Fullerton freshman records for innings pitched (115.2) and ERA (1.48), while the 1.48 mark also ranks second in Fullerton single-season history.

 

The native of Carlsbad, Calif., led the country in strikeout-to-walk ratio (27.67, Fullerton single-season record), walks allowed per 9.0 innings (0.23, new Fullerton and NCAA single-season record) and WHIP (0.77).

 

His 1.48 ERA led the Big West, ranked 10th in the country and rated second among rookie weekend starters. He struck out 83 batters and walked just three, and his 12 wins tied Garza for the Fullerton freshman record.

 

Garza received four All-American second team nods from ABCA/Rawlings, Louisville Slugger, Baseball America and the NCBWA.

 

Cal State Fullerton's Saturday night starter in 2013, Garza finished the season with an undefeated record of 12-0 in 17 starts as the Titans finished the year with a 16-1 record when he was on the mound.

The Big West Conference Pitcher of the Year,  Garza was also named the Fullerton Regional MVP.

He completed his rookie campaign with a 2.03 ERA (50th country, third Big West) pitching in five combined shutout victories. The native of Ontario, Calif., tossed 115 innings, allowing just 26 earned runs while striking out a team-best 95 and issuing only 17 walks.

In Big West games, Garza finished with a record of 6-0 in nine starts, striking out 48 in 59 innings of work, and his 1.000 winning percentage (12-0) not only set the Fullerton freshman record, but he is one of just four pitchers in Cal State Fullerton history with at least 12 wins and no losses.

The preseason All-American team included five members of the Big West Conference with Connor Spencer (UC Irvine), Taylor Sparks (UC Irvine) and Andrew Morales (UC Irvine) also named to the first team.

The Titans return 19 players from last year's 2013 Super Regional squad, including the team's starting weekend rotation and 89 percent of the squad's innings from last season's 51-10 and Big West championship effort.

Fullerton begins its quest for its fifth national championship on Friday, Feb. 14, hosting a three-game series against Washington State.

Season tickets, which offer a 36 percent savings for Titan fans are currently on sale along with single-game tickets and ticket packages that include "Friday Night Lights" and "Any Given Sundays."

Season Tickets: Reserved Seats for 29 Homes Games ($210)

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Any Given Sundays: Reserved Seats for 7 Sunday Home Games ($63)

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