For the first time in program history, the Florida International University baseball team had three Panthers earn Freshman All-American honors in the same season.
Javier Valdes, Nick MacDonald and Tyler Myrick were named to this year's Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Freshman All-American Team, the publication announced. The three selections tied FIU for the most by any team in the nation and were the most by any school in the state of Florida.
Valdes hit .287 with five home runs and 36 RBI this past season. He was third on the team with 11 doubles and also recorded a triple. Valdes had 56 hits in his first collegiate season, fourth-most on the Panthers team.
Valdes played in 54 of the 58 games for FIU last season. The freshman just missed hitting for the cycle against Western Kentucky on May 18. Valdes was 3-for-5 with a single, a triple, a home run and seven RBI against the Hilltoppers in a 23-6 victory for the Panthers.
MacDonald was 7-3 with a 4.29 ERA this past season while pitching out of the Friday and Sunday slots. The right-hander pitched 71 1/3 innings and struck out 68 batters, while walking 30.
In nine of his 13 starts, MacDonald allowed three runs or less. MacDonald earned Conference USA Pitcher of the Week early last season after he beat Manhattan by pitching 7 2/3 innings, allowing one run and striking out nine batters.
Myrick, who started most Saturday games, led all FIU starters with a 3.73 ERA last season while posting a 6-2 record. The right-hander struck out 57 batters in 72 1/3 innings while he walked just 28.
Myrick allowed three runs or less in nine of his 10 starts last season, including a stretch of seven straight starts where he allowed three runs or less. Myrick had his best start last season against WKU, when he pitched seven shutout innings and struck out six in a 6-0 win.