The University of Mississippi Athletics
Head Named First Team Preseason All-America
11/13/2003 | Baseball
Nov. 13, 2003
DENVER - Ole Miss sophomore 1B/LHP Stephen Head has been named a first team preseason All-America as a utility player by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Head, who is a returning National Freshmen Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, earned third team All-America honors from the NCBWA last season.
He was one of three players from the Southeastern Conference to be selected to the first team, joining LSU OF Ryan Patterson and Auburn RHP Steven Register. The SEC had the most players make either the first, second or third team than any other conference with nine total.
"We're very excited and proud for Stephen," said Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco. "It's a very deserving honor after putting together the type of season he had as a freshman and this past summer while playing for Team USA. Obviously, we're looking for big things from him this upcoming spring."
Head, 6-feet-2, 218 pounds from Raymond, Miss., led Ole Miss in both batting average and ERA last season en route to also earning Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He also garnered second team All-SEC honors as a relief pitcher.
At the plate, Head posted a .337 average with six home runs and a team-high 44 runs batted in while playing in 58-of-62 games. He also had 10 doubles and two triples to record a .490 slugging percentage.
On the mound, Head made 20 appearances, including four starts. He went 4-1 with a 1.40 ERA and converted on 13-of-13 save opportunities to set a new Ole Miss season record for saves. Head also recorded 43 strikeouts while walking just 16 in 57 2/3 innings, and held opponents to a .192 batting-average-against.
This past summer, Head played on the USA National Team, along with current junior outfielder Seth Smith, and helped the USA capture the silver medal at the Pan American Games.
Ole Miss went 35-27 last season and earned its second NCAA Regional berth in three years under Bianco. The Rebels are scheduled to open the 2004 campaign on February 20 against Birmingham Southern in Oxford.