Barrett Named to NCBWA Freshmen All-American Second Team

MACON, Ga. – Mercer baseball freshman catcher Austin Barrett was voted onto the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshmen All-American second team as announced by the organization on Monday afternoon.

Barrett was one of only four Atlantic Sun Conference players voted onto the squad and is Mercer’s second Freshman All-American this season, joining Derrick Workman who was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American squad last week.

“Definitely a well-deserved honor for Austin after establishing himself as one of the premier catchers in the A-Sun Conference last season,” head coach Craig Gibson said. “I am glad to see Austin getting recognized for his accomplishments this past season and we look forward to great things from him over his next three years as a Mercer Bear.”

The Mims, Fla. native assumed starting catching duties as a freshman this past season and shined in the role both offensively and defensively. Barrett finished the season hitting .286 to go along with a .379 on-base percentage and a .467 slugging percentage. He chipped in with eight home runs, 35 runs scored and 25 RBI while ranking tied for third on the team with seven sacrifice hits.

Barrett’s contributions on the team were not just limited to his offense production. He managed a pitching staff that led the A-Sun Conference with a sparkling 3.58 team ERA while only committing three errors behind the plate this season for a .992 fielding percentage.