Tuscon, AZ – Four Austin Peay State University baseball players were named to the 2013 Louisville Slugger All-America Teams as selected by Collegiate Baseball June 30th.
Junior first baseman Craig Massoni and senior outfielder Cody Hudson were second-team All-America selections – the program’s first second-team honorees since pitcher Rowdy Hardy earned second team honors in 2005.
Massoni, of Danville, CA, was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s “Player of the Year,” the first Govs player to earn that honor since 1996. He enters the NCAA Tournament this week with an opportunity to claim the OVC’s Triple Crown – leading the league in batting average (.388) and home runs (16) while ranking second in RBI (68) but just three behind the leader. Massoni ranks among Division I’s Top 10 in home runs and RBI as well as slugging percentage (.683).
Hudson, of Germantown, TN, was a first-team All-OVC selection and named to the OVC all-tournament team. He has pieced together his best season in an Austin Peay uniform, posting a .365 batting average, 19 doubles, 38 RBI and 30 stolen bases – all career bests. Hudson enters the postseason ranked 14th among Division I players in stolen bases and 39th doubles.
Hankins, an honorable mention All-America pick last season, moved up to third team honors this season. The Wentzville, MO, native was a repeat first-team All-OVC selection at second base. He ranks 8th nationally in run scored (66) and 44th in home runs (11) – both numbers career bests. Hankins is batting .351 this season with 38 walks – both marks tying his career bests.
Rogers enters the NCAA Tournament as the nation’s saves leader with an OVC and APSU record 21 stops. The Littleton, CO, native was named the Ohio Valley Conference’s Pitcher of the Year this season, the first pitcher who was solely a reliever to earn the award. Rogers has successfully converted 21 of his 23 save opportunities and posted a miniscule 0.83 ERA in the 38 games he has finished this season.
The Louisville Slugger All-America teams are the first of several All-America squads to be announced during the postseason.
