Florida first baseman Preston Tucker was named to the 2009 Baseball America Freshman All-America Team released on Tuesday. The SEC Co-Freshman of the Year, Tucker earned the Gators’ “Triple Crown” by leading the team in batting average (.364), runs batted in (85) and home runs (15). His total of 85 RBI was a single-season school record and eclipsed the previous mark of 80 set by Ryan Shealy during the 2002 campaign. The slugger also led the Orange and Blue in slugging percentage (.628), multiple-hit (27) and multiple-RBI games (23), as well as total bases (152).

Tucker was named the NCAA Gainesville Regional’s Most Outstanding Player after going 9-for-13 (.692) over the three Florida victories with six RBI, two homers and a slugging percentage of 1.231. The rookie was 4-for-5 in the championship-game triumph over the Miami (Fla.) and notched three RBI. Tucker batted .531 (17-for-32) during the postseason, including a scorching .650 (13-for-20) in UF’s five NCAA outings.

A unanimous choice on the SEC’s All-Freshman squad, Tucker had a
spectacular debut to his collegiate career by leading the SEC in league
play with 40 RBI. Named the SEC Freshman of the Week three times during
the campaign (March 30, April 13, April 27), the Tampa native had a .350
batting average, a .545 slugging percentage, 23 runs and 14 extra-base
hits during conference action in helping the Gators capture their first
Eastern Division title since 2005.