Kubitza Named To Freshman All-America Team by Baseball America
7/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 5, 2011
DURHAM. N.C. - Rice pitcher Austin Kubitza has been named to Baseball America's 2011 Freshman All-America Team, the publication announced from its headquarters in Durham, N.C., on Tuesday (July 5).
Kubitza had an outstanding debut season at the Division I level and was one of just five starting pitchers from across the country named to the Baseball America's annual freshman honors squad. The Colleyville, Tex., native went 6-5 on the mound in his role as the Owls' Friday night starter (where he was often matched against the opposing team's ace pitcher). Kubitza led the Owls' and ranked among the Conference USA leaders in ERA (2.34), innings (100.0) and strikeouts (102). Early in his rookie season he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the annual Houston College Classic tournament held downtown at Minute Maid Park.
He was twice named the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week, where in league-only games he went 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA. At the end of the C-USA regular season Kubitza was named the league's 2011 Freshman of the Year and to the All-Freshman Team on a vote of the C-USA head coaches and media members. The Owl right-hander was also named a Freshman All-America (first team) by Collegiate Baseball magazine.
Rice baseball has had at least one Freshman All-America selection every year since the 2005 season. Under the direction of head coach Wayne Graham the Owls had another outstanding season in 2011. Rice (42-21) won the C-USA Tournament title and regular season co-championship, the 16th-straight year for Rice baseball to claim a league championship. The program also posted its 17th-consecutive season with at least 40 wins advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 17th-straight year.
