The University of Louisville baseball program had five student-athletes named to the Perfect Game Preseason All-America teams released on Tuesday.
Alex Binelas and Michael Kirian were each named to the first team at third base and relief pitcher, respectively. Jared Poland was the utility selection on the second team. Henry Davis was the third team catcher, while Levi Usher was one of three third team outfielders.
Louisville was the only program to have multiple first team selections and had the most representatives across the three teams with no other program having more than three selections.
Binelas missed the majority of the shortened 2020 season due to injury, but drew freshman All-America honors in 2019. The Oak Creek, Wis., native hit .291 as a freshman with 14 home runs and 59 driven in on his way to an All-ACC selection.
Kirian has been lights out in the Louisville bullpen over the last two seasons, posting a 1.41 ERA in 32 appearances with a 3-1 record and 11 saves. The southpaw was dominant in 2020, allowing just two baserunners in his 6.1 innings of work and striking out 11 with just one walk.
Poland has worked both on the mound and in the field for the Cardinals in his two seasons at Louisville. The Fishers, Ind., product hit .281 with five extra-base hits and seven RBIs in just 32 at-bats last season. On the mound, Poland has made 21 appearances with 32 strikeouts in 25 innings.
After splitting time behind the plate as a freshman, Davis announced his presence as one of the best catchers in the country during the 2020 campaign. In 14 games, Davis hit .372 with five doubles, three home runs and 13 RBIs while striking out just four times.
Usher made an immediate impact with the Cardinals in 2020, leading all qualified Louisville hitters with a .411 batting average. The outfielder had five extra-base hits and drove in 10 while tying for the team lead with 11 stolen bases in 12 attempts.
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| STEPHEN WILLIAMSAssistant Sports Information Director | Louisville Athletics |
