TUCSON, Ariz.--(DBU and NMSU Media Relations) Dallas Baptist senior outfielder Boomer Collins and New Mexico State senior shortstop Parker Hipp have been named to the Louisville Slugger Preaseason All-American Team as decided by Collegiate Baseball Magazine.
Collins earned first team honors while Hipp was named to the third team.
Following a 2012 season in which he hit .374 with 13 homeruns and 58 RBI, Collins is the only member of the Western Athletic Conference to appear on the first team. His 23 doubles in 2012 are second-most amongst the first-teamers and his homerun numbers place him as third most on the squad.
Collins, a senior from Waxahachie, Texas, scored 62 runs during last season's campaign, the second-most amongst Louisville Slugger Pre-Season First Teamers. His talents helped lead the Patriots to the championship round of the NCAA Waco Regional and earned him a place on postseason All-American squads. After spending the summer in the Northwoods League, Collins returns to Dallas to man centerfield in 2013 for Head Coach Dan Heefner and the Patriots of Dallas Baptist.
Hipp was a third team selection after hitting .349 with 51 runs scored and 49 RBI last year. He was first on the team in on-base percentage (.488) as he helped the Aggies win a share of the 2012 Western Athletic Conference title.
Hipp also posted 17 doubles, one triple and one home run on the year while he led the team defensively with 148 assists. The middle-infielder was also in on the most double-plays (30) in 2012 as he finished the year making nice plays in the Aggies' NCAA Tournament appearance.
Hipp was a second team All-WAC selection last year as he hit .328 (21-of-64) in league play with four doubles and 17 RBI.
Aggie fans should be excited to see Hipp play at home this year as he tallied a .351 batting average at Presley Askew Field last year. He also marked 30 walks, 30 runs scored and 30 RBI providing plenty of offense for the Aggies.
Dallas Baptist will open 2013 in the brand new, state-of-the-art Horner Ballpark against Creighton on February 15. Tickets can be bought at www.dbutickets.com or by calling (214) 333-5324. Suites, party decks, and catering options are also available.
The 2013 Aggie baseball schedule starts with the Annual Alumni Game, Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. (MT) at Presley Askew Field. Admission for the event is free.
NM State opens the regular season with a four-game series against Wisconsin-Milwaukee with double-headers starting at 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15-16. Call 575-646-1420 for ticket information.