Jan. 18, 2012
SAN DIEGO - Five members of the 2012 San Diego State baseball squad have been named to the Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Teams by College Sports Madness. Sophomore Cole Swanson and Cody Smith earned first-team accolades while senior Chris Wilson and Jomel Torres along with soph Tim Zier were selected to the second team.
A left-handed pitcher, Swanson was named a 2011 Freshman All-American by Baseball America after a season that saw him compile a record of 4-2 and a 3.23 earned run average. His overall ERA ranked eighth in the conference while his .218 opponent batting average was fourth-best among Mountain West hurlers.
Smith, who was also honored as a Freshman All-American last season, finished his inaugural campaign as an Aztec with a .320 batting average along with 12 double, four triples, two homers and 30 RBI. He led the Aztecs with 15 stolen bases (in 16 attempts) and made 50 starts in the outfield, primarily in center.
Wilson, who split time as a starter in the outfield and behind the plate, was a second-team all-Mountain West selection in 2011 when he batted .315 in league play with 10 doubles and four home runs. Overall he led the team in doubles (18) and homers (5) while driving in 33 runs.
First baseman Jomel Torres finished last season with a .357 average in Mountain West play along with seven doubles and 19 runs batted in. Overall he batted .291 and was second on the squad with 36 RBI. He led the conference in walks and finished with a .428 on-base percentage.
Zier moved into the starting role at second base as a freshman last season and responded by hitting .306 with seven doubles and 21 runs batted in. He hit .358 as the Aztecs' leadoff man and finished the 2011 season with a 14-game hitting streak.
San Diego State officially opens it springs practice sessions on Thursday (Jan. 19) as it begins preparations for its season opener against Washington on Friday, Feb. 17, at 6:00 p.m. at Tony Gwynn Stadium.