LYNCHBURG, Va. (NCBWA) – LSU shortstop Alex Bregman and Cal State Fullerton right-handed pitcher Thomas Eshelman have been named the 2013 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Freshman Hitter and Pitcher of the Year recipients, as announced by the organization today.

Bregman	Eshelman

Alex Bregman enters next week leading the College World Series-bound LSU Tigers with a .380 batting average, 104 hits, 18 doubles seven triples, 154 total bases and 59 runs scored. Having started all 65 LSU contests, he has also hit six home runs and posted a .570 slugging percentage. The shortstop’s 104 hits top the single-season total for a freshman in LSU history. He is also six hits away from tying the all-time school lead. Currently, he ranks second among NCAA Division I players in hits and 12th in total bases.

The Albuquerque, N.M. native was named the 2013 SEC Freshman of the Year and was also selected to the first-team All-SEC at shortstop. Currently, he is listed among the conference leaders in hits (1st), batting average (2nd), runs scored (3rd), RBIs (4th) slugging percentage (4th) and total bases (1st).

Bregman has helped the LSU Tigers post a school-record tying 57-9 mark and advance to their 16th College World Series in program history. LSU, who claimed both the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional and Super Regional Championships, entered the Super Regional ranked No. 1 in the NCBWA Weekly Poll. The shortstop earned the Most Outstanding Player award in leading LSU to the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional title. He batted .545 (6-for-11) in the regional with one double, one homer, three RBI and five runs.

Bregman, a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, was named the 2013 National Freshman Player of the Year and to the Louisville Slugger All-American third team by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. He was also a semifinalist for 2013 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award and listed on the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Watch List.

Eshelman led the Big West Conference and finished the year 12th nationally with a 1.48 ERA over a team-leading 115 2/3 innings during his first collegiate season at Cal State Fullerton. In addition, he completed the year with a 12-3 mark over 17 appearances, striking out 83 and walking just three batters. The Titan right-hander led the nation in with a 0.77 WHIP (Walks Hits per Inning Pitch) and walks allowed.

The Carlsbad, Calif. native set Cal State Fullerton freshman records for innings pitched (115.2) and ERA (1.48). His ERA also ranks second in Cal State Fullerton all-time single-season history. In addition, Eshelman set new Titan single-season records with a 27.7 to 1 strikeout-to-walk ratio and fewest walks per nine innings with 0.23.

Eshelman was named Collegiate Baseball's 2013 Freshman Pitcher of the Year, and was also named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American Team. Eshelman was also voted the Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year, was named a Golden Spikes Semifinalist, and earned Louisville Slugger All-American first team accolades.

Eshelman helped Cal State Fullerton post a 51-10 record and claim the NCAA Fullerton Regional Championship. The Titans were ranked No. 2 in the latest NCBWA Weekly Poll.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport.

For more information, contact NCBWA Assistant Executive Director Mike Montoro (304-293-2821, mike.montoro@mail.wvu.edu) or Ryan Bomberger (434-582-2292, rbomberger@liberty.edu).