Purcey Garners Preseason Recognition From Baseball America

Jan. 3, 2003

NORMAN, Okla. - Following a standout freshman season and an even more successful summer campaign, Oklahoma sophomore pitcher David Purcey was named to Baseball America's preseason All-American team as a second team selection on Thursday. Additionally, Purcey and his Sooner teammates will begin the year ranked 38th in the publication's initial poll.

"We're very pleased with the preseason recognition David is receiving," said OU head coach Larry Cochell. "We're expecting that he will not only make a significant impact on our team and in the Big 12 Conference this year, but also on the national scene as well."

Purcey is one of a number of underclassmen to be named to one of the publication's three preseason teams as only two seniors appearred on the lists. The preseason All-American selection is his most recent honor after he finished his first year as a 2002 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and then capped off the summer by being named to Baseball America's Summer All-American first team. The 6-5, 240 pound lefty also racked up All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention and All-Big 12 Freshman accolades after finishing the year with a 5-4 record and a 3.35 ERA which was the fifth best average in the conference. Purcey continued to dominate hitters during the summer as he topped all Alaska League hurlers in strikeouts with 66 and, combined with his 2-1 record and 1.13 ERA, was named to the All-Alaska League team.

The Sooners' latest ranking by Baseball America comes on the heels of their highest preseason rating to date as OU enters the season ranked No. 27 by Collegiate Baseball which released its list a couple weeks ago. Oklahoma's 2003 schedule includes some of the country's top competition as 10 of the teams it will face this year appear in Baseball America's extended preseason Top 50 poll, including Texas (No. 5), Arizona State (No. 8), Baylor (No. 10), Nebraska (No. 20), Southwest Missouri State (No. 27), Oklahoma State (No. 33), Texas A&M (No. 34), Ohio State (No. 35), Texas Tech (No. 36) and Wichita State (No. 41).

The Sooners, whose fall team practice schedule was cut short due to bad weather, will return to campus in early January to begin preparations for the upcoming season which begins Friday, Feb. 7 at L. Dale Mitchell Park against Southeast Missouri State.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Purcey Garners Preseason Recognition From Baseball America

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