Dec. 23, 2013

American Preseason Coaches' Poll

Gardner, Cross, Herget Garner American Top Honors

Senior outfielder Jeff Gardner of Louisville was named Preseason Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference, while junior Carson Cross of Connecticut and sophomore Jimmy Herget (left) of USF were named Preseason Pitchers of the Year, in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

Gardner batted .337 in 2013 with nine home runs and 43 RBI in helping the Cardinals reach the College World Series for the second time in program history.

Cross went 9-4 a season ago with a 2.44 ERA. He struck out 86 and walked 24 in 110.2 innings in 2013, while opponents hit .246 against him.

Herget was 6-2 with a 1.72 ERA a season ago.  Opponents batted just .193 against Herget, as he fanned 60 and walked 27 in 94 innings.

The inaugural season for the American commences on Feb. 14, with conference play beginning the weekend of March 21-23. The 2014 American championship will take place at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla., from May 21-25.

Preseason American Athletic Conference Player of the Year:

Jeff Gardner, OF, Louisville

Preseason American Athletic Conference Pitchers of the Year:

Carson Cross, Connecticut

Jimmy Herget, USF

2014 Preseason All-Conference Team

Pos. Name, Class, School, Key 2013 Stats
P Carson Cross, Jr., Connecticut 9-4, 2.44 ERA, 110.2 IP, 86 K, 24 BB, .246 OBA, 1.16 WHIP
P Anthony Kidston, So., Louisville 5-0, 1.31 ERA, 48.0 IP, 58 K, 22 BB, .152 OBA, 0.98 WHIP
P Kyle Funkhouser, So., Louisville 5-1, 2.14 ERA, 54.2 IP, 55 K, 25 BB, .214 OBA
P Jimmy Herget, So., USF 6-2, 1.72 ERA, 94.0 IP, 60 K, 27 BB, .193 OBA, 0.95 WHIP
RP Nick Burdi, Jr., Louisville * 3-3, 0.76 ERA, 16 SV, 35.2 IP, 62 K, 13 BB, .192 OBA, 1.08 WHIP
C Carter White, Jr., Memphis .325, 15 RBI, .412 OB%
1B Tucker Tubbs, Jr., Memphis .327, 4 HR, 32 RBI,.425 SLG%
2B Nik Alonso, RSo., USF .331, 23 RBI, .420 OB%
SS Sutton Whiting, Jr., Louisville .308, 1 HR, 30 RBI, 24 SB
3B Justin Montemayor, So., Houston * .329, 3 HR, 27 RBI
OF Jeff Gardner, Sr., Louisville .337, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 103 TB, .632 SLG%
OF Ian Happ, So., Cincinnati .322, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 25 SB
OF Cole Sturgeon, Sr., Louisville .339, 1 HR, 33 RBI, .420 OB%, 13 SB
OF Vinny Zarrilo, Jr., Rutgers .330, 34 RBI, .434 SLG%
DH Bret Gordon, Sr., UCF * .316, 1 HR, 12 RBI

* - unanimous selection

Additional players were added due to tie in voting                                  

(photo courtesy of USF Media Relations)