Wednesday, December 14, 2011

WICHITA, Kan. - Jacksonville's junior first baseman Adam Brett Walker picked up preseason honors on Wednesday as he was named a National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association Preseason First Team All-American.

Last season, Walker picked up five All-America honors. He was the lone Atlantic Sun representative on the preseason list.

On the field in 2011, Walker led the A-Sun with a .409 batting average, 99 hits and 23 doubles in helping the Dolphins reach the NCAA regionals for the fourth time in the last six seasons. He also paced the squad with 13 home runs, 75 RBI, 165 total bases and a .685 slugging percentage. His hits and total bases totals each broke single-season records for the program.

Walker batted .446 with 16 doubles, six home runs and 42 RBI in conference play to take home the A-Sun Player of the Year honor and First Team All-Conference honors. Walker also received A-Sun All-Tournament honors after pacing the Dolphins with a .429 average (6-14) with a home run and two RBI.

In the JU career books, the Wisconsin native is tied for seventh in home runs at 29 with Pete Clifford (2003-07) and Rich Katz (1971-74). In other categories, Walker needs eight doubles, 50 total bases and 60 hits to crack the top 10 all-time, respectively.

Jacksonville opens the 2012 season on the road in a three-game set against Southern California on Feb. 17-19th.

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The Atlantic Sun Conference is an NCAA Division I league with 10 member institutions committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun meets the challenge of maintaining the highest standards in academic and athletic achievement with a true balance between student and athlete. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University. Northern Kentucky University will officially join the Atlantic Sun on July 1, 2012.