Nick Senzel becomes first Vol to receive Third Team All-America honors since 2009
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Baseball’s Nick Senzel was named a 2016 Louisville Slugger All-America Third Team third baseman as announced by Collegiate Baseball newspaper on Thursday.
Last month, Senzel was named an All-Southeastern Conference Second Team and SEC All-Defensive selection after posting a career year on Rocky Top, hitting .352 with 74 hits, an SEC-leading 25 doubles, eight homers and 59 RBI.
Senzel completed his junior year ranking among SEC Top 10 leaders in multiple offensive categories with a .352 average (9th), 57 runs scored (4th), 59 RBI (2nd), 25 doubles (1st), 125 total bases (6th), 40 walks (T-4th) and 25 stolen bases (T-3rd). He also finished the regular season earning SEC Player of the Week honors, having hit at a .571 clip (8-for-14) over four games from May 17-21, including a 6-for-11 (.545) effort against Georgia to help UT clinch a spot in the 2016 SEC Baseball Tournament.
The Knoxville native’s postseason All-America nod marks his first since receiving Freshman All-America honors from Louisville Slugger in 2014, when he was also named to the SEC’s All-Freshman team as UT’s primary designated hitter. He is the first Volunteer to receive postseason Third Team All-America honors since Cody Hawn received Second Team and Third Team mentions following the 2009 season.
Recently named a semifinalist for USA Baseball’s 2016 Golden Spikes Award, Senzel was recognized as a Preseason All-American by four major outlets, including Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball newspaper, entering his junior season in 2016. After a stellar summer season with the Cape Cod League’s Brewster Whitecaps, Senzel also took home 2015 Cape Cod League MVP and Summer Collegiate Player of the Year awards.
Over three seasons (2014-16) with the Volunteers, Senzel owns a .332 average with 196 hits and 126 RBI through 160 career games for the Orange and White. His 25 doubles in 2016 mark the most by a UT third baseman since Chase Headley in 2005, while Senzel now ranks seventh all-time on the Vols’ career doubles list with 49.
To view the complete 2016 Louisville Slugger All-America teams selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, click HERE.