Ball State University Athletics
Nielsen Earns Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Honors
June 03, 2009 | Baseball
“I am very happy for Ian,” head coach Greg Beals said. “He had a great freshman campaign and worked very hard to achieve this honor. We are looking forward to his continued success as a Cardinal.”
Ealier this season, Nielsen was named Second Team All-Mid-American Conference, becoming the first Cardinal freshman to earn conference honors since Ben Snyder (2005). He started all 51 games for the Cardinals at first base and led all MAC freshmen in batting average (.352), hits (76) and RBI (53). He tallied 15 doubles, two triples and nine home runs as he posted a .565 slugging percentage. He posted 24 multiple-hit games and 15 multiple-RBI games while earning MAC West Division Player of the Week honors twice during his rookie campaign.
The Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team is headlined by Collegiate Baseball's Freshman Pitcher of The Year Trevor Bauer of UCLA and Freshman Player of The Year Anthony Rendon of Rice. Of the 99 freshmen honored by Collegiate Baseball, Nielsen was one of just two MAC players selected to the team (Andrew Chaffin, Kent State).
Ball State finished the 2009 season as MAC West Division champions after posting a 26-25 overall record and a 14-10 mark in MAC play. The Cardinals wrapped up the season at the 2009 MAC Tournament in Chillicothe, Ohio May 21.
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