Xavier’s Jernigan, St. John’s Hackimer Earn Louisville Slugger All-American Honors
TUCSON, Ariz. – Xavier's Andre Jernigan and St. John’s Thomas Hackimer were announced as part of the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I All-American baseball team on Thursday, earning third team honors from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Jernigan, the 2016 BIG EAST Player of the Year has been one of top power-hitting shortstops in the nation this year. He ranks among the NCAA Division I leaders with 13 home runs (48th). Xavier's team leader in doubles (17) and triples (4), Jernigan led the BIG EAST by a wide margin in slugging percentage (.573). He also stepped up in BIG EAST play, batting .274 with three homers and 15 RBI to go with a .382 on-base percentage. A slick-fielding shortstop, Jernigan has helped Xavier set a current pace to tie the school record for fielding percentage. The Musketeers also rank among the NCAA leaders in double plays turned, as Jernigan has played a part in 40 twin killings himself. The Louisville Slugger All-American recognition is the first in program history for Xavier baseball.
Already the first reliever to earn BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year honors since 2005, Hackimer became the first two-time All-American for St. John’s since Jeremy Baltz (2010 & 2012), Hackimer is also the first Red Storm player to earn All-America honors in back-to-back seasons since Mike Dzurilla (1998-99). A semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and the USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, Hackimer also earned unanimous first team All-BIG EAST accolades for the second-straight season. Hackimer went 7-3 with eight saves and a 1.17 ERA in 28 appearances. The righty racked up 71 strikeouts in 53.2 innings of work, while allowing just a .133 opponent batting average. The reliever finished regular season action ranked tied for second in the BIG EAST in wins (7-1) and fourth in saves (8), while posting a 0.72 ERA in 26 appearances. The righty was sixth with 67 strikeouts in 49.2 innings of work and allowed just a .094 batting average. In 10 league appearances, Hackimer ranked tied for second in wins (3-1) and finished third in saves (4), while posting a league-low 1.50 ERA in 18.0 innings of work. The righty had 20 strikeouts in conference action and held opponents to a league-low .069 batting average.
Left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer from Kent Stat was voted National Player of the Year.