June 5, 2002

Champaign, Ill. - Illinois left fielder Drew Davidson was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, the publication announced today. Davidson, who led Illinois with a .341 average this year, becomes Illinois' third freshman All-American in the past four seasons.

In addition to leading the Illini in hitting, Davidson paced Illinois in hits (59), home runs (10), total bases (104), slugging (.601), doubles (11, T) and triples (2, T). The third-team All-Big Ten selection was the first true freshman to start the season hitting leadoff in head coach Itch Jones' tenure at Illinois and he responded by opening three of Illinois' first eight games with a home run.

Davidson, who was named the co-Male Newcomer of the Year by the University of Illinois, led all Big Ten freshman in every major offensive category, including average, home runs and slugging percentage. He finished the season ranked among Illinois' all-time freshman top 10 in three categories: home runs (10/4th), hits (59/5th) and average (.341/8th). Davidson also strung together two 10-game hitting streaks over the course of the season and twice belted two home runs in a single game.

Davidson is Illinois' third Collegiate Baseball freshman All-American in four years, following in the footsteps of his teammates Luke Simmons (DH, 1999) and Andy Schutzenhofer (1B, 2000).