Three LSU baseball players have been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-America team, the LSU Athletic Department announced Wednesday in a news release.
Senior first baseman Blake Dean, junior pitcher Anthony Ranaudo and sophomore pitcher Matty Ott were all named to the First Team.
Dean was named as a designated hitter on the preseason All-American team after serving that role for the Tigers last season. The Crestview, Fla., native hit .328 last season with 17 homers and 71 RBI while earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors.
Ranaudo went 12-3 last season as the Tigers’ Friday night starter, recording a 3.04 ERA and finishing No. 3 in the nation and No. 1 in the SEC with 159 strikeouts.
Ott set an LSU single-season record in 2009 with 16 saves on his way to SEC Co-Freshman of the Year honors.
LSU opens its season Feb. 19 against Centenary in Alex Box Stadium.
CUBS SIGN HELENIHI
The Chicago Cubs have signed former LSU infielder Derek Helenihi, the Athletic Department announced Wednesday.
Helenihi will join the Cubs for spring training.
Helenihi was LSU’s starting third baseman last season in the Tigers’ run to the 2009 College World Series championship. He started 27 of 45 games in which he played last season, hitting .255 with four home runs, 23 RBI and 20 runs.
 
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