DALLAS – Sophomore catcher Ike Irish has been named Second Team Preseason All-America by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, the publication announced Tuesday.
A year ago, the Hudsonville, Michigan, native became the 20th Freshman All-American in program history and set an Auburn freshman record with 24 doubles. He also earned SEC All-Freshman Team and Auburn Regional All-Tournament Team honors.
Irish led Auburn in average (.361), hits (86) and doubles (24) while ranking second in RBI (50) and total bases (130) and third in runs (48). His 24 doubles were good for the sixth most in program history, including the most since 2005, and were tied for second most in the Southeastern Conference and the most among freshmen nationally. Irish also finished the season seventh in the league and fourth among freshmen nationally in hits, while his batting average was good for a top-10 mark in the SEC.
Irish started in all 58 games in his first season on The Plains and led the team with 28 multi-hit games while tying for second with 14 multi-RBI performances.
Irish and the No. 15 Tigers begin the 2024 campaign at Plainsman Park with a three-game series vs. Eastern Kentucky from Feb. 16-18. Limited tickets remain for all three contests.