Jan. 2, 2008
University Park, Pa. - Relief pitcher Drew O'Neil was named as a Louisville Slugger preseason third team All-American on the preseason All-American teams that were recently announced by the magazine Collegiate Baseball. O'Neil adds this honor to a growing list of preseason honors. Additionally, Penn State also received votes in the Collegiate Baseball preseason poll that was also released recently.
O'Neil, who was also named to the Wallace Award watch list and was named to the preseason All-Big Ten team by Rivals.com, was one of five players from the Big Ten that were on the Louisville Slugger preseason All-American teams. O'Neil, who was an eighth-round selection of the Cincinnati Reds in last year's MLB amateur draft but elected to return to school, will be one of the top closers in the country this year. Last year, he did not allow an earned run in Big Ten play all season and overall had a 1.34 ERA and a 4-2 record in 23 games. He also set a school record with 11 saves and will likely break the Penn State career record for saves this year.
O'Neil and the Nittany Lions will open the 2008 season in just 51 days from today, on Friday, February 22 at High Point. Season tickets for Penn State's 23-game home schedule are on sale and can be purchased by calling the State College Spikes ticket office at (814) 272-1711 or 1-877-SPIKES.
The complete Louisville Slugger preseason All-American teams can be viewed here. The Collegiate Baseball preseason poll can be viewed here.