Best Named Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American

Earns Preseason All-American Honors For Second Time

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss senior pitcher Daniel Best was selected third team preseason All-American by Louisville Slugger, selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

This marks the second preseason All-American honor for Best, who was tabbed first team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of American on Dec. 13.

Best was a NCBWAA second-team All-American last season, a ABCA All-South selection and one of the five finalists for the inaugural Stopper of the Year Award, given to the nation's top closer.

The Ruston, La., native allowed just two earned runs in 39 innings pitched (0.46 ERA) in 2005. Best posted a record of 3-0 and saved 11 games over 30 appearances, while striking out 37 batters and walking only seven. He held opponents to a .229 batting average.

Southern Miss finished its season with a 41-21 overall record, earning the school's third consecutive 40-win season.

The Golden Eagles return 20 letterwinners, including five starting position players, four starting pitchers, and five bullpen pitchers from last year's squad that finished 41-21 overall and tied for second-place in Conference USA, advanced to the Conference USA Tournament semifinals and also to its third-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. The Golden Eagles have produced a 133-56 record over the past three seasons for a 70.4 winning percentage.

Southern Miss opens its season on Feb. 15 when it hosts Nicholls State in a 3 p.m., start.