NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three Vanderbilt student-athletes have been recognized as Collegiate Baseball All-Americans including first-team selection Austin Martin, the publication announced this week.
The selections come during a season shortened by the COVID-19 global pandemic. Vanderbilt played 18 nonconference contests, finishing 13-5. The Commodores defeated Toledo 11-2 in the season finale March 11 at Hawkins Field.
Martin, who paced Vanderbilt in average (.377), on-base percentage (.507) and slugging (.660), is among 17 individuals recognized on the first team. The junior utility man reached base in 15 of 16 games played and produced eight multi-hit games. He was tabbed preseason first-team all-SEC.
“You put him in bigger environments, and he plays better and better.”@VandyBoys‘ Austin Martin is a versatile player with a résumé worthy of the No. 2 overall pick. pic.twitter.com/YUK0iijNuY
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) June 1, 2020
Right-hander Mason Hickman was recognized on the second team after going 2-0 and ranking second in the SEC for ERA (0.48) and WHIP (0.59). The junior limited opponents to a .131 batting average, striking out a career best 12 batters vs. Illinois-Chicago (Feb. 21) before adding 11 against Hawaii (Feb. 28).
Fellow right-hander Jack Leiter was tabbed a freshman All-American after finishing 2-0 with a 1.72 ERA in four games including three starts. Leiter, who held opponents to a .098 average, did not allow a run in his first three appearances including five scoreless innings alongside 12 strikeouts vs. South Alabama (Feb. 18).
