EUNICE, La. - Three LSU Eunice baseball players have been named a preseason All-American by "The JBB", the Junior College baseball media outlet announced this week.  The Bengals' three selections are the most of any school in the preseason list.
 
Relief pitcher Jacob Hammond (Monroe, LA, Ouachita HS) was named the national Pitcher of the Year while Hunter Tabb (Scott, LA, Acadiana HS) and Jack Merrifield (Prairieville, LA, Dutchtown HS) were also named to the All-American squad.
 
"These young men will be vital to our success both for their production on the field and their leadership," LSU Eunice head coach Jeff Willis said.  "They could have left for the four-year level but chose to stay here at LSUE and finish some of the goals they have set for themselves and this team."
 
Hammond enjoyed a breakout 2020 shortened season, finishing top 20 in wins and top 10 in strikeouts from a relief pitcher position.  His final stat line was a 3-0 record with 0.93 earned run average to go along with 36 strikeouts and .176 batting average against.
 
Merrifield was tops in the nation during the 2020 campaign with 32 RBIs before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The infielder was also fourth in hits (35), 16th in stolen bases (13) and 9th in runs scored (27).
 
Tabb, a two-year starter, has been one of the most consistent contributors in his time with the Bengals.  The Acadiana HS product ended last season with a .387 batting average in addition to 25 runs scored, three doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs.
 
LSUE was 21-0 and ranked number one in the nation before the season came to an abrupt end.  The Bengals find themselves in familiar territory as the number one ranked team in three major NJCAA preseason polls and seventh overall among all junior college divisions and affiliations according to Perfect Game.
 
The Bengals start the season next Friday with the start of a weekend series against LSU Alexandria.  For more LSU Eunice baseball news and information, fans can also follow the baseball team's Twitter (@LSUEBengalsBSB), Facebook (@LSUEBaseball) and Instagram (@LSUEBengals) accounts.
 

2021 "The JBB" NJCAA Div. II Preseason All-Americans
Pitchers
Jacob Hammond	LSU Eunice
Blake Hubbard	NOC-Tonkawa
Jacob Ellis	NOC-Tonkawa
Infielders
Hunter Tabb	LSU Eunice
Jack Merrifield	LSU Eunice
Ambren Voitik	NOC-Enid
Hogan McIntosh	Parkland College
Outfielders
Josh Fitzgerald	Kirkwood College
Austin Izzio	Pearl River CC
Tate Parker	Pearl River CC
Catcher
Pablo Lanzarote	Hinds CC
Player of the Year	Josh Fitzgerald - Kirkwood
Pitcher of the Year	Jacob Hammond – LSU Eunice