Per SID Garrett Wall:
NCBWA Names Louisville Baseball’s Burdi Preseason First Team All-America
Hard-throwing closer had 16 saves, an ERA of 0.76 and 62 strikeouts in 35.2 innings last season
http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/121813aaa.html
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Louisville junior righthanded closer Nick Burdi was chosen on Wednesday as a Preseason First Team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
A native of Downers Grove, Ill., Burdi was among the nation’s best relievers last season earning 16 saves with a 0.76 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 29 relief appearances and 35.2 innings pitched as the Cardinals won a school record 51 games and advanced to the College World Series for the second time in school history. Among the nation’s hardest throwers with a fastball reaching at and beyond 100 mph, Burdi was named First Team All-America by Perfect Game and Second Team All-America by the NCBWA last season.
During a dominant sophomore season, the 6-4 Burdi allowed opposing batters to hit just .192 while issuing only 13 walks. He finished with a 3-3 record overall while also earning First Team All-Big East Conference honors.
Following a break for the Holidays, classes resume on Jan. 6 for the spring semester and the Cardinals will conduct their first official, full-squad practice session for the 2014 season on Jan. 24. Louisville will open the 2014 slate on Feb. 14-16 in Charleston, S.C., at the Homewood Suites Tournament hosted by The Citadel, while the Cardinals’ home-opener is set for Feb. 19 at 3 p.m., ET at Jim Patterson Stadium against Eastern Kentucky.