LSU has three baseball All-Americans
LSU outfielder Raph Rhymes
LSU baseball players continued to receive postseason honors Monday as pitcher Kevin Gausman and outfielder Raph Rhymes were named first-team All-Americans and shortstop Austin Nola was named to the second team by Perfect Game. Nola also was named second-team All-American by Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
Gausman, who was the No. 4 pick and first pitcher selected in the Major League baseball draft earlier this month, and Rhymes, who set a school record with a .431 batting average, were named first-team All-Americans by Collegiate Baseball newspaper and the American Baseball Coaches Association earlier this month.
Nola, a four-year starter at shortstop, batted .299 with 16 doubles, one triple, four homers and 43 RBIs in addition to being one of the nation’s top defensive players this season. He committed just five errors in 246 chances. A Baton Rouge native who started 219 games during his career, Nola was drafted in the fifth round by the Miami Marlins.
He received his LSU degree in sports administration last month, was a two-time member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was twice named to the SEC Community Service Team. Nola was a finalist for the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, which is presented annually to the senior baseball player who excels in four areas: community, classroom, character and competition.
Gausman is expected to sign with Baltimore before the July 13 deadline, and Rhymes has said he will return to the Tigers for his senior season in 2013.