Tony Thompson (Kansas), Taylor Jungmann and Chance Ruffin (Texas) have been named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America First Team presented by Collegiate Baseball.
Thompson, a junior infielder, won the conference’s triple crown last season as he led the league in batting average (.389), home runs (21) and RBI (82). He ranked third nationally in doubles (27), fourth in total bases (186) and seventh in RBI. Sophomore pitcher Jungmann went 8-3 with a 2.00 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 78 innings last season, earning Freshman All-America honors. He also posted a 5-0 postseason record, including a 3-0 mark and 0.59 ERA at the College World Series. Ruffin went 10-2 with one save and a 3.32 ERA in the 2009 campaign. The junior starter fanned 115 while walking 25 in 124.2 innings.
Three other Big 12 student-athletes were also honored. Relief pitcher Ryan Duke (Oklahoma) and catcher Cameron Rupp (Texas) were second-team selections. Fellow Longhorn pitcher Cole Green was named a third-team member.
Duke led the Big 12 and ranked sixth in the nation last season with 16 saves. Rupp hit .292 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI, while Green went 5-3 on the mound with a 3.34 ERA.
The Big 12 baseball season starts on Friday, Feb. 19.
