Schmidt Hamblin Earn All-America Accolades

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Nick Schmidt and Danny Hamblin garnered All-America honors this past week when the Louisville Slugger TPX 2007 Preseason All-American teams, chosen by Collegiate Baseball, were announced.

Schmidt, a left-handed junior from St. Louis, Mo., earned first-team recognition after going 9-3 last season with a 3.01 ERA. The left-hander had 145 strikeouts in 2006 ranks as the second-most is school history. Schmidt was also a first-team All-American by Louisville Slugger following last season and the SEC Pitcher of the Year by league coaches.

Hamblin earned third-team preseason accolades after bashing 17 home runs and netting 68 RBI in 2006. His 17 home runs last season tied for the fifth-most in a single season in school history while his 35 career home runs rank tied for fourth.

“It is exciting that these guys are getting some preseason recognition,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “It is great to see Danny Hamblin on this list after coming back for his senior season. I really think he is poised to have a big year. Nick (Schmidt) has been a go-to-guy since he stepped foot on campus and is truly one of the best pitchers in the country.”

Schmidt was also named a first-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association early this off-season.