Feb. 12, 2008

Juniors Aaron Crow (Missouri), Jordan Danks and Kyle Russell (Texas) have been named to Baseball America's 2008 Preseason All-America Team.

Crow was a first team All-Big 12 selection last season, leading the Tigers with nine wins on the year. The right-handed pitcher from Wakarusa, Kan. was 9-4 last year with a 3.59 ERA. He struck out a team-high 90 batters on the season. Crow had two complete games, including one in the NCAA Regional against Kent State.

It marked Danks' second time being named to the preseason All-America squad. He also earned the distinction prior to the 2007 season. He hit .332 with 63 runs, 17 doubles, three triples and 38 RBI. Danks was perfect in the outfield with 118 total chances without an error and on the base paths with 19 stolen base attempts without being caught.

Russell, the 2007 Big 12 Player of the Year, set the UT single-season record with a nation-leading 28 home runs. He also was named first-team All-America by the NCBWA, American Baseball Coaches Association, Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America his sophomore season. The Tomball, Texas native hit .336 with 63 runs, 75 RBI and 10 stolen bases. Russell returns to a Longhorns squad that won its 74th conference title in 2007 with a 21-6 mark in the Big 12 Conference and a 46-17 record overall.

Junior outfielder Roger Kieschnick (Texas Tech) has received second-team accolades while junior shortstop/pitcher Jordy Mercer (Oklahoma State) and senior infielder Blake Stouffer (Texas A&M) have earned third-team honors.

The Big 12 Conference season is scheduled to start on Feb. 22.