Appel makes first team as four are named Louisville Slugger Preseason All-Americans
Senior righthander Mark Appel was named to the Louisville Slugger Preseason All-America first team for the second consecutive year on Friday, as the first-round MLB Draft pick extended his list of honors after earning similar recognition from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association on Dec. 12.
Junior outfielder Austin Wilson made the Louisville Slugger second team. Many analysts have the power hitter tabbed as an early first-round pick in the 2013 draft.
Junior first baseman Brian Ragira and sophomore third baseman Alex Blandino were named to the third team.
Ogwumike named Pac-12 Player of the Week
Forward Chiney Ogwumike was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Monday morning after averaging 21 points and 17 rebounds in the Cardinal’s recent road wins against No. 21 South Carolina and No. 10 Tennessee.
It was the third such honor for the junior this season and the sixth of her career. She has already rattled off streaks of three (Jan. 16, 23, 30) and two (Nov. 12, 19) consecutive Pac-12 Player of the Week Awards this calendar year.
Chiney is quickly closing in on older sister Nneka, who earned the award seven times during her storied Stanford career.
Lacrosse releases schedule
The Stanford lacrosse team announced its 2013 schedule on Friday as the team prepares to face four teams ranked at the end of last season.
The Cardinal’s season opener is a home game against Notre Dame at 3 p.m. on Feb. 16. Other notable contests at Cagan Stadium are the March 8 showdown against USC, which is in the first year of its lacrosse program, and the April 19 game against Oregon, which beat Stanford 13-7 on its home turf last season.
Stanford will also travel to face defending national champion Northwestern on April 14.
—Joseph Beyda