The University of Mississippi Athletics
Bittle Named Preseason All-America By Baseball America
2/16/2009 | Baseball
This is the fourth preseason Award for Bittle who was also named a preseason All-America selection by the NCBWA
Bittle is the top returning pitcher for the Rebels as the right-handed closer chose to return to Ole Miss for his senior season after being drafted by the New York Yankees with the 75th overall pick of the 2008 MLB Draft. He also garnered All-America honors from Baseball
As a junior last season, Bittle led the nation in strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched and tallied 130 strikeouts on the season. The 130 strikeouts is third all-time on the single season list behind Lance Lynn and Will Kline, who set the top two marks during the 2007 season.
The junior led the Southeastern Conference in strikeouts during the regular season, earning All-SEC Second Team honors as he also was named a semi-finalist for the Clemens Award and the Stopper of the Year.
Bittle posted an 7-1 mark on the season, picking up wins in relief over Mississippi State, No. 6 Vanderbilt, at No. 8 Georgia, Auburn, at No. 20 Kentucky and against No. 12 Missouri to send the Rebels to the NCAA Coral Gables Regional Championship game. In the win over
Bittle also posted eight saves on the season, including preserving Rebel victories over Southern Miss, LSU, at No. 10 South Carolina,
Ole Miss will open the 2009 campaign on February 20, 2009 at
