Wilkins Bolsinger honored by SEBaseball

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas baseball team members Andy Wilkins and Mike Bolsinger have earned preseason All-Southeastern Conference honors, as announced Friday by SEBaseball.com. Wilkins was named a member of the first team, while Bolsinger earned a spot on the second team.Wilkins is the Razorbacks’ top returning hitter from last year’s team that advanced to the College World Series and earned a third-place national finish. Last season, Wilkins led Arkansas with a .319 batting average, 19 home runs, 58 RBI, 18 doubles and a .638 slugging percentage. He was the only player to start every game during the 2009 season.The Broken Arrow, Okla., native has also been recognized this preseason by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. Wilkins was named to the Baseball America preseason All-America Second Team. Collegiate Baseball also selected Wilkins as a member of its Louisville Slugger preseason All-American Third Team.Bolsinger was placed on the SEBaseball.com preseason Second Team as a relief pitcher. The right-handed hurler was instrumental in Arkansas’ 2009 run to Omaha. He finished the season with a 6-4 record, 2.99 ERA and two saves. Bolsinger held opposing hitters to a .205 batting average and struck out 79 batters in 69.1 innings of work.The McKinney, Texas, native was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Watch List earlier this preseason.Arkansas opens its 2010 season Feb. 19-21 with a home series against Ball State. The Razorbacks will play their first seven, and 12 of the first 15, games at Baum Stadium.