Baseball's Jimmy Gillheeney Named Preseason All-America

12/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

RALEIGH, N.C. For the second year in a row, NC State’s incumbent closer has been named a preseason All-American by the National College Baseball Writers Association. A year ago it was righthander Eryk McConnell. This week, the NCBWA named lefty Jimmy Gillheeney a second-team preseason All-American for 2009.

Gillheeney, a junior from Johnston, R.I., earned third-team All-America honors from the NCBWA a year ago after posting a 2-0 record with a 1.12 ERA and 10 saves in 11 opportunities. Gillheeney pitched 32 innings in 21 appearances, all in relief, and allowed 24 hits, walked 12 and struck out 42.

Gillheeney was one of nine Atlantic Coast Conference players named first-, second- or third-team preseason All-America by the NCBWA.