Hill Named Louisville Slugger All-American

by, Joshua Flanagan

TUCSON, Ariz. – The baseball postseason honors have begun to roll in, and Texas State’s Tanner Hill has been recognized. He was named a Louisville Slugger All-American, the Collegiate Baseball newspaper announced Thursday.

Hill, a San Marcos native, was one of just seven first basemen in all of NCAA Division I Baseball to be recognized as an All-American, garnering third-team honors on the All-American team for his prolific season.

“I’m very humbled to get such an awesome award,” said Hill. “I have to thank my family, friends, coaches and teammates. I couldn’t have done any of this without them!”

Hill, a Sun Belt First-Team All-Conference selection this season, finished the year hitting .321 with 77 hits, 18 doubles and a conference-leading 15 home runs. He knocked in 42 RBIs with 43 runs scored. The senior led the team in batting average, hits, RBIs, runs, homers, doubles and slugging percentage.

He wasn’t just a factor for Texas State. He was feared in the Sun Belt, ranking top ten in slugging percentage, hits, doubles, total bases, and was tied for the conference lead in home runs. The big hitter also showed off a trusty glove at both first base and behind the plate throughout the season, ranking second in the Sun Belt in putouts while finishing the season with a .995 fielding percentage.

On the national level, Hill ranked 29^th in home runs, 30^th in total bases and 41^st in home runs per game. He finished in the top 100 in slugging percentage and doubles.

The first baseman also made an impact in Texas State’s all-time record book. He finished fourth on the all-time home runs list with 28. He is top 10 in total bases with 289 and ranks in the top 15 all-time in hits, RBIs, doubles and at bats. His 2016 season ranks in the top 10 in home runs, doubles and total bases all-time at Texas State.