Feb. 5, 2013
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa sophomore left-handed pitcher Sasha Kuebel earned his second preseason honor, as he was selected to the preseason Big Ten All-Conference team by Perfect Game.
Kuebel was tabbed as a first team All-Big Ten honoree by College Sports Madness in January.
As a freshman, Kuebel earned Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America, second team All-Big Ten and unanimous All-Big Ten freshman team honors. The southpaw went 6-0 with a 2.67 ERA over 87.2 innings, tossing two complete games and finishing with 36 strikeouts to 15 walks.
The St. Louis native went 4-0 in Big Ten games, registering a 2.83 ERA over eight starts. Kuebel was the Big Ten Pitcher and Co-Freshman of the Week on May 21 after helping Iowa take 2-of-3 games from No. 13 Purdue.
Perfect Game picked the Hawkeyes to finish 10th in the Big Ten in 2013, while selecting Indiana to win the conference title. The publication tabbed the Hoosiers and Ohio State as NCAA Regional participants.
College Baseball Today picked the Hawkeyes to finish ninth in the Big Ten Conference in 2013, but baseball writer Eric Sorenson says Iowa and Michigan are two teams to `watch out for in future seasons as talent is building in both programs.’ The publication tabbed Nebraska as the 2013 conference favorite.
Sorenson calls Iowa freshman catcher Blake Hickman as an impact newcomer saying the `strong-armed big man behind the dish has a wicked-fast pop time and will definitely make an impact on the conference in 2013.’
Sorenson calls Kuebel and senior Matt Dermody a tough one-two punch on weekends this spring. With the sophomore class being a year-wiser, Sorenson says the youth movement should pay big dividends in the near future.
The Hawkeyes’ freshman class “might be the best in the Big Ten,” according to Sorenson. Along with Hickman, Sorenson says freshman pitcher Calvin Mathews is a player to watch, as the right hander can reach the upper 80s with ease and could fill a spot in the bullpen right away.
Iowa opens the 2013 season on Feb. 15 in Clarksville, Tenn., against Austin Peay.