Dec. 22, 2009

Cullowhee, N.C. - Reigning consensus Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, Western Carolina sophomore infielder Ross Heffley, has been named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger pre-season All-American baseball teams, selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper and features a who's who of NCAA Division I baseball players.

Heffley, who was a Freshman All-America selection by Baseball America last season, was just one of two Southern Conference players named to the preseason All-America team, joined by Joey Bergman from the College of Charleston who made the second team.

A year ago, Heffley became the fourth different Catamount all-time to garner Freshman All-America honors from baseball publications, and the first since Steven Strausbaugh earned the nod back in 2005 when he was a first team Baseball America selection. He also joins Phillip Grundy (1991) and Chris Moore (1996), both of which garnered the honor from Collegiate Baseball.

He was also honored by Ping! Baseball by being named to its post-season honorary squad after setting a WCU freshman record with 92 base hits in his rookie campaign.

The Snellville, Ga., native who headlined the SoCon's inaugural All-Freshman team, ranked seventh in the SoCon in batting average a season ago as a freshman at .391. He posted the highest batting average among the 32 top rookies recognized by Baseball America, while his WCU freshman-record 92 base hits ranked second among freshman best.

"The bottom line on Ross Heffley is that he works at his craft," said WCU head coach Bobby Moranda of his second-year infielder. "You will routinely see him in the cage improving his skill set until 1:00 am. His ability to barrel a baseball and make defensive plays are at the highest level of the collegiate game."

Holding a .400-or-better batting average until April 24, 2009, Heffley opened his WCU career with a 13-game hitting streak which he improved to a career-best 14-game streak through the conclusion of the regular season and conference tournament. He finished the season with 48 runs scored and 51 RBI - third most on the team - legging out 18 doubles, two triples and having hit four home runs.

Heffley settled in at third in the Catamount batting order for 40 of his 54 games played through his rookie campaign, splitting time between left field and infield before settling at second base. He played in the prestigious Cape Cod League this past summer.

Printer-friendly format	Email this article

Catamount Sports Baseball