Jan. 4, 2009
IOWA CITY – – University of Iowa senior Justin Toole has been named a pre-season third team shortstop by Ping Baseball. Toole is one of only four Big Ten baseball players honored by the web site. Indiana’s Josh Phegley was named a first team catcher, Michigan’s Chris Fetter was recognized on the second team, while Purdue’s Dan Black was an honorable mention third baseman/catcher.
Toole is also on the pre-season Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Watch List. The Wallace Award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player in conjunction with the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
Toole, a shortstop from Council Bluffs, IA, was honored on the all-region second team and all-Big Ten third team a year ago. He hit .395, including a .390 clip in conference play. Toole was ranked in the top ten in nine statistical areas, including second in hits (87) and runs (61). He made his way into the school record book this season recording 25 consecutive games with a hit this season. The streak was the longest in the Big Ten and seventh-longest in the country this season. Toole is also second in Iowa single-season hits (87), only four shy of the record.
“Justin is very deserving of the pre-season recognition he has received after what he has accomplished for our program the previous two seasons,” Head Coach Jack Dahm said. “He has worked incredibly hard in every phase of the game to become the player he is today. The best thing about Justin is that he is a very unselfish player and his team’s success is more important than his personal success.”
For a complete listing of Ping Baseball’s all-America teams click HERE.
The Iowa baseball team opens its season vs. Illinois on Feb. 20 in Clearwater, FL.