Tucson, AZ – Garrett Spain, center fielder for the Austin Peay State University (APSU) baseball team, who began his collegiate career by reaching base in 43 consecutive games, has been named to the 2019 Collegiate Baseball Freshmen All-American team, powered by Diamond.
Spain, a Clarksville, Tennessee product, enjoyed an impressive freshman campaign, earning the Ohio Valley Conference’s Freshman of the Year honor, the second Govs player to win that award all time. He also was named Second-Team All-OVC and to the league’s All-Newcomer Team.
In his rookie campaign, Spain was the Govs opening-day starter in center field, starting and playing in 56 of the team’s 57 games. He finished second among all Austin Peay hitters in batting average (.333) and RBI (52) and was third on the side in home runs (seven). Among NCAA Division I freshmen, Spain ranked 19th in batting average and 16th in RBI.
Spain opened his collegiate career by reaching base safely in 43 consecutive games, tying the second-longest reached safely streak in program history. His 14-game hit streak also was the longest by a Governors hitter in 2019 and was one of two double-digit hit streaks he enjoyed during the campaign as he finished the season with a hit in 46 of his 56 games played. Spain led the team with 22 multi-hit games and was second on the side with 14 multi-RBI outings.
Spain becomes the 13th Austin Peay player recognized on the Collegiate Baseball Freshmen All-American teams since 2000. He joins a list of Governors Freshman All-Americans that includes A.J. Ellis, Jordan Hankins and Parker Phillips, whom each went on to enjoy storied careers.
