Baseball Sun Devils earn preseason honors

Arizona State University senior pitcher Josh Spence has been named a First Team Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association. Sophomore pitcher Mitchell Lambson earned Third Team honors from the NCBWA, which announced their preseason All-American teams today.

Spence was the only First Team selection from the Pac-10 Conference, while ASU was the only Pac-10 school with multiple student-athletes honored.

Spence (Victoria, Australia) went 10-1 in his first season with Sun Devils last season, helping lead Arizona State to a third straight Pac-10 title and a trip to the College World Series. The southpaw struck out 125 batters in 102.2 innings, had an ERA of 2.37 and also recorded a save. He was named National Newcomer of the Year by Rivals.com, earned First Team All-Pac-10 honors and was a Third Team All-American. The Aussie helped pitch ASU to its 21st College World Series in 2009, throwing a complete game in the Super Regional clinching victory over Clemson at Packard Stadium.

Lambson, from Tualatin, Ore., had an outstanding freshman year for the Sun Devils, pitching in a team-leading 32 games and compiling a 9-5 record with a team-high five saves. The lefty had a 3.01 ERA and fanned 99 batters during his debut season, earning him First Team All-Pac-10 honors as well as consensus Freshman All-American status.

The Sun Devils begin the 2010 season on February 19 when they host Northern Illinois at 6:30 p.m. at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark.