Joe Goodman and Ryne Rush Named to Freshmen All-American Team by Collegiate Baseball

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University baseball players Joe Goodman and Ryne Rush were named to the 2012 Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American team Wednesday by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

“We are very excited and proud of Joe and Ryne,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “Their selection to the Freshmen All-American team is a credit to their ability and work ethic. They both had a tremendous season and represented High Point University in outstanding fashion. I look forward to watching them continue to improve and lead this team as we look to next season.”

Goodman went 5-1 with two saves for HPU this season. He led the team in ERA (2.23), strikeouts (58) and appearances (27). The right-hander from Ames, Iowa allowed just 14 earned runs in 54-1/3 innings pitched. He had a career-high six strikeouts in 2-1/3 innings against Radford on April 6. HPU set a single-game record with 17 strikeouts in that contest.

Rush started 58 games at third base in his rookie season. He hit .330 with a team-high 17 doubles. His 17 doubles is tied for ninth most in a season in HPU history. Rush led the team with 72 hits and 100 total bases. The Asheboro, N.C. native drove in 37 runs and scored 32 while hitting three homers and stealing six bases. Rush’s 72 hits are the most by an HPU freshman since Robby Kuzdale had 75 in 2007.

Goodman and Rush become the third and fourth Freshmen All-Americans for HPU. Kuzdale was a Freshman All-American in 2007 and Billy Alvino earned the honor in 2006.

The Panthers finished the season 28-31 with wins over six teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament: Army, Coastal Carolina, Dayton, East Carolina, Manhattan and Missouri. The Panthers made their first-ever appearance in the Big South Tournament semifinals. High Point became just the second No. 7 seed to ever beat a No. 2 seed and the first since 1990 with a 9-5 win over Campbell. High Point is also the first No. 7 seed to reach the conference semifinals since 2000.