IRVINE, Calif.- Fresno State first baseman Jordan Ribera and Nevada outfielder Brian Barnett have been named to the 11th annual Pro-Line National College Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-America team.
Ribera finished his junior campaign last season with 27 home runs, which ties him with Tom Mendonca for second place in Bulldog history in homers in a single season and he still leads the nation. Ribera started all 63 games and hit .343 with 20 doubles, two triples and a team-high 69 RBIs. He had a 17-game hitting streak in the middle of the season from April 17 to May 14.
Barnett earned second-team outfield honors after leading the Wolf Pack in nearly every offensive category in 2009. He is entering his second season at Nevada after transferring from Western Nevada College after his sophomore year. Barnett’s .348 average was fifth best on the team and his 224 at-bats, 78 hits, 18 home runs, 71 RBI, 157 total bases and .701 slugging percentage were all team highs in 2009. In his first season at Nevada, the former McQueen High School standout earned All-WAC Second-Team honors, American Baseball Coaches Association All-West Region honors, and was twice named the Verizon WAC Hitter of the Week.