Hernandez, Bellamy Named Rivals.com Preseason All-Americans

Feb. 16, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas – University of Miami pitchers Chris Hernandez and Kyle Bellamy have been named to the Rivals.com Preseason All-America Team, as announced Monday. Bellamy, a junior, and Hernandez, a sophomore, make up one-third of the team’s pitching staff as Bellamy serves as one of two relievers while Hernandez is one of four starting pitchers on the squad.

Hernandez is coming off one of the most decorated freshman seasons in school history, finishing a perfect 11-0 with a 2.72 ERA en route to numerous All-American honors in 2008. Striking out a team-high 117 batters in 112 2/3 innings, Hernandez was recognized as the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association. He was named First Team All-America by Louisville Slugger and Second Team All-America by Baseball America and Rivals.com. He was also named Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year and First Team All-ACC after going 8-0 in 10 league starts.

Bellamy served as one of the top set-up men in the nation last season. He finished his sophomore season with a record of 6-0 and a staff-best 1.86 ERA in 63.0 innings of work. He also led the `Canes in appearances (43) and opponent’s batting average against (.183), while ranking second in strikeouts (75) and saves (3). With the departure of 2008 closer Carlos Gutierrez – a first round draft choice by the Minnesota Twins in the 2008 MLB Draft – Bellamy moves into the closer’s role this season, a year after earning second team All-America honors by Rivals.com a season ago.

Already this preseason, Hernandez was named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association First Team All-American as well as a Louisville Slugger Preseason First Team All-American. He also joined teammate Ryan Jackson on the Brooks Wallace Award Preseason Watch list for the award given annually to the nation’s top collegiate baseball player. Bellamy has also previously earned preseason accolades this offseason, garnering second team honors by the NCBWA.

For the complete Rivals.com 2009 Preseason All-American Team, click here.

Miami opens its 2009 season at newly-renovated Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field on Friday, Feb. 20 against Rutgers. For ticket information for the 2009 season, call 1-800-GO-CANES, visit www.hurricanesports.com or email canestix@miami.edu.