Dec. 13, 2005

Mizzou Baseball junior pitcher Max Scherzer was named a first team preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association, while junior outfielder Hunter Mense was a third team selection, as announced by the NCBWA on Tuesday.

Scherzer, the Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year and a second team All-American in 2005, led the Tigers and the Big 12 with a school record 131 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.86 last year. He was 9-4 on the year and did not allow an earned run in seven of his 15 starts, including a combined no-hitter against Texas Tech.

Mense, an All-Big 12 selection in 2005, hit .327 last season for Mizzou with three home runs and 43 RBI. He had 18 multi-hit games and had three or more hits in nine games in 2005.

Scherzer and Mense spent the summer traveling with Team USA, helping the National team to a 16-4 record against teams from around the world. Both have also been named to the Wallace Award Watch list, which is given to the nation's top player.

The Tigers will open up the 2006 season against East Tennessee State at the Charleston Southern Tournament in Charleston, S.C. on Feb. 9. Missouri will open up the home portion of the 2006 schedule on March 1 against Illinois State at 4 p.m. at Taylor Stadium.

NCBWA Preseason All-American Selections
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