Kansas First Baseman Land Named Preseason All-Big 12

Jan. 24, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

Kansas sophomore Preston Land has been named to the preseason All-Big 12 team by Baseball America. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

Land, a 6-foot-2 first baseman from Greenwood, Mo., hit .314 last season with nine home runs and 33 RBIs. He set the KU freshman record in homers and tied the school freshman mark with 12 doubles. Land didn’t waste much time making a name for himself in the Jayhawks’ lineup, blasting a pair of homers in just his fourth collegiate start at Hawaii-Hilo.

“Preston put up very good numbers as a freshman,” KU head coach Ritch Price said. “He’s improved defensively and continues to improve offensively. He has the potential to challenge Travis Metcalf’s (KU) single-season home run record this year.”

Texas placed a league-high four players on the preseason all-conference team, including preseason Player of the Year Jordan Danks.

The Jayhawks, who finished 43-25 last season, will open the 2007 season on Feb. 1 at Hawaii-Hilo. First pitch is scheduled for 12 a.m. central time (7 p.m. local time).