Texas Tech University Athletics
Neely Named NCBWA Preseason Second Team All-American
December 14, 2011 | Baseball
Neely is the first Red Raider to be named a preseason All-American since 2008 (Roger Kieschnick)
Dec. 14, 2011
2012 NCBWA Preseason All-America Teams 
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech senior right-handed relief pitcher John Neely (Sugarland, Texa) has been named a 2012 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason second team All-American, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.
Neely, who was named a 2011 NCBWA third team All-American, was one of nine relief pitchers named to the first, second and third teams.
Neely becomes the first Red Raider to earn preseason All-America honors since 2008 (OF Roger Kieschnick) and is the first Texas Tech pitcher in 12 years to receive preseason All-America recognition (1999, RHP Shane Wright).
Neely was one of the top pitchers in the country last season pitching out of the bullpen for the Red Raiders. He went 9-1 with a 2.97 ERA with seven saves in 30 appearances (0 starts) with 56 strikeouts - all of which led the team. He became the first Red Raider pitcher in over 16 years to not allow a home run in a season when pitching in at least 25 innings.
He was one of only five pitchers in the nation last season to be named to the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List as well as the National Pitcher of the Year Award Watch List.
Neely finished his junior season earning the win or save in 48 percent of the Red Raiders wins (9 wins, 7 saves - 33 team wins). Texas Tech recorded a 25-5 record in games when Neely made an appearance.
Neely was one of five Big 12 players who were named to the first, second or third team. Neely joined Texas A&M's OF Tyler Naquin (1st Team), Texas A&M's RHP Ross Stripling (1st Team), Texas' RHP reliever Cory Knebel (1st Team) and Texas' 3B Erich Weiss (3rd Team).
TEXAS TECH PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS (SINCE 1998)
2012 - John Neely (RHP) - 2nd Team, NCBWA
2008 - Roger Kieschnick (OF) - 2nd Team, Baseball America
2007 - Matt Smith (C) - 3rd Team, NCBWA
2007 - Roger Kieschnick (OF) - 3rd Team, NCBWA
2005 - Cameron Blair (SS) - 2nd Team, NCBWA
2005 - Cameron Blair (SS) - 1st Team, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
2002 - Nick Blankenship (3B) - 2nd Team, NCBWA
2002 - Nick Blankenship (3B) - 3rd Team, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
1999 - Shane Wright (RHP) - 1st Team, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
1999 - Josh Bard (C) - 1st Team, Baseball America
1999 - Josh Bard (C) - 2nd Team, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
1998 - Keith Ginter (2B) - 1st Team, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
1998 - Josh Bard (C) - 3rd Team, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
