Lincoln - Nebraska second
baseman Pat Kelly was recently named a second-team freshman All-American by
Perfect Game, the fourth freshman All-America honor that Kelly has received for
his success during the 2012 season. The Red Wing, Minn., native was previously
named a freshman All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and the
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Kelly is the first Husker
freshmen to be named to four All-America teams following their first season at
Nebraska. Previously, Matt Hopper collected the most awards following a
freshman season with three in 2000, when he was honored by Collegiate Baseball,
Baseball America and Baseball Weekly.
Overall, the
Huskers have picked up six national honors following the 2012 season, as
freshman pitcher Kyle Kubat was also named a freshmen All-American by
Collegiate Baseball and designated hitter Michael Prichard was a named a
third-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers
Association.
Kelly made a
quick transition to college pitching and was one of the Huskers' top offensive
threats with a .313 average, eight home runs and 37 RBI's in 41 starts. He was
twice named Big Ten Freshman of the Week and was a third-team All-Big Ten
selection.
Kelly was
third on the team with a .521 slugging percentage and his eight home runs were
the most homers by a freshman at Nebraska who played at Haymarket Park. They
were also the most homers by a Husker freshman since 2000, when Hopper hit 21
at Buck Beltzer Stadium. Kelly hit throughout the Husker lineup and produced 16
extra-base hits, including six doubles and two triples in addition to his eight
home runs.
Kelly came
up with clutch hits all season for NU, as he hit .367 with runners on base and
.364 with runners in scoring position. He had 11 multi-hit games on the year,
including a pair of four-hit games. He drove in at least two runs 11 times,
including a career-high five RBI's against Penn State at the Big Ten Tournament
in a 12-3 win over the Nittany Lions.
This summer
Kelly is playing for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters in the Northwoods League and
leads the team with a .333 batter average and 29 RBI. He was recently named to
the Northwoods League All-Star Game along with fellow Husker and Eau Claire
Express third baseman Josh Scheffert.
