June 10, 2010

From Navy Athletic Communications

Annapolis, Md. - Navy pitcher Ben Nelson has been named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. Nelson is the sixth freshman to be named Freshman All-American in school history joining Dave Self (1998), Jake Miller (2000), Pete Curnow (2002), Drew Lydon (2007) and Mike Guadagnini (2008).

Nelson compiled a 5-3 record with a Patriot League-best 2.34 ERA. He appeared in 14 games, starting seven, and tossed three complete games. He also picked up one save. In 61.2 innings he gave up just 55 hits, while walking 15 and striking out 37. Opponents hit just .242 against him.

Nelson picked up wins against Delaware State (twice), Central Connecticut State, Lehigh and Army. He pitched eight shutout innings, allowing just four hits, in a 7-0 decision over the Mountain Hawks and beat Army by allowing just two runs on six hits in a complete game outing that was televised nationally by CBS College Sports. Nelson lost to Patriot League champion Bucknell, 1-0.

It is the fourth straight year and 10th time in the past 11 seasons that at least one Patriot League student-athlete was named a Freshman All-American.