Jake Smith Named Preseason All-American
12/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Dec. 21, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala - Alabama senior third baseman Jake Smith was named to the Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball newspaper preseason All-America baseball team, long-time publisher and college baseball historian Lou Pavlovich announced Monday. Smith was a third-team preseason All-American selection.
Smith hit .359 (70-for-195) with 18 home runs and 54 RBI for the Crimson Tide last season. He as a first-team All-SEC selection in 2009 and has twice been named to SEC All-Defensive Team.
"This is another well-deserved honor for Jake Smith," Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard said. "He is a proven player and leader on this team this year. He has had a great career at Alabama and we are looking for another big year in 2010."
Last year as a junior in SEC play, Smith hit .333 (38-for-114) with nine home runs and 27 RBI en route to first-team All-SEC honors. He was twice named to the SEC All-Defensive Team for his play at third base. He made only five errors in 116 chances at third base last year and committed 10 errors in 181 chances in 2008.
Overall, he has played 151 career games and made 148 starts during his three-year career and compiled a .284 (155-for-546) batting average with 32 home runs and 117 RBI. He has also posted a .279 (78-for-280) batting average with 20 home runs and 58 RBI in 80-career SEC games.
