May 26, 2000
Arizona State senior outfielder Mitch Jones (Orem, Utah) was named a first-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball today. Junior catcher Casey Myers (Casa Grande) was a second-team selection while sophomore pitcher Jon Switzer (Houston, Tx.) garnered third-team honors.
Jones, a first-team all-conference selection, leads the team and nation with 26 homeruns in 2000. He broke the 22-year-old school record held by Bob Horner (25 in 1978) last Sunday vs. Arizona. The outfielder is second on the team in RBI (88) and ranks fourth nationally in RBI per game. Jones is also a semifinalist for the Rotary Smith Award and Dick Howser Trophy, honoring the nation's top collegiate player.
Myers, the 2000 Pac-10 Player of the Year, leads the team in batting average (.414), doubles (18), RBI (89) and on-base percentage (.510). The catcher is a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Collegiate Catcher of the Year as well as Baseball America's National Player of the Year.
Switzer, an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection, led the ASU pitching staff with an 11-2 record and a 3.51 ERA. He notched 116 strikeouts while holding opponent batters to a .218 average at the plate. The lefty notched two complete game wins over Louisiana State and Southern California during the 2000 campaign.
Arizona State opens NCAA Regional action today at 7 p.m. against Miami (Ohio) at Packard Stadium. For ticket information, please call 480-965-2381.