Illinois State baseball standout Mike Saunches became the second player in Redbird history to garner preseason all-America honors when he was named to the Louisville Slugger preseason all-America baseball third team as selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.
Saunches, a 6-3, 255 pound lefty from Decatur, Ill., was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Raulings all-America third team in 2001 after a stellar sophomore performance. He led the Valley with 58 RBI and ranked No. 22 nationally with 1.26 RBI/game. His .363 batting average ranked No. 9 in the MVC and he led the Redbirds in homers (13) and slugging percentage (.621).
To be a preseason all-American, you had to have a great season last year, said head coach Jeff Stewart of his powerfull designated hitter (DH).
After going 10-for-17 with two home runs, three triples and 12 RBI in leading ISU to a 3-1 series win over conference foe Creighton, Saunches earned MVC Player of the Week honors. Another highlight from last season includes his three-homer game when he went yard in three consecutive at bats in a 16-6 ripping over 2001 conference tournament champion Northern Iowa.
Stewart believes that Saunches has an even better chance at making a strong impact at both the plate and on the field this year.
Mike had an outstanding year last season as a DH and he deserves credit, said Stewart. I think he can do even better things for us this year.
I think Mike can do better for us defensively because he was predominantly a DH last season, which didnt give him much time on the field. This year he has worked hard on his skills at first base so he can play that part of the game for us as well, added Stewart.
Saunches ABCA all-America honor last year marked only the second time in ISU baseball history that a Redbird earned all-America honors since the program moved to D-I in 1971.
