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PHOENIX, Ariz. – Gardner-Webb designated hitter Matt Simmons was named to the 2014 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team Wednesday by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Simmons (Charlotte, N.C. / Charlotte Christian) is the third Gardner-Webb freshman to earn a spot on the team since 2012 – when current teammates Ryan Hodge and Mitch Warner were selected. Five GWU freshman have earned All-America honors from Louisville Slugger / Collegiate Baseball Newspaper since 2003.

The 6-foot-1, 222-pound Simmons earned second-team All-Big South Conference honors this past season, leading the team with a .308 batting average in 46 games played – with 42 starts at first base, third base and designated hitter. He moved into the cleanup spot in March and performed well in that role the rest of the season.

Simmons finished with 10 doubles, two triples and home run and 22 RBI – ranking second on the team among regulars with a .415 slugging percentage and .362 on base percentage. His 22 runs batted in ranked fourth on the squad.

Simmons is currently playing this summer in the Coastal Plains League with the Morehead City Marlins.

GARDNER-WEBB'S ALL-TIME LOUISVILLE SLUGGER FRESHMAN ALL-AMERICA SELECTIONS
2003 – Zach Ward, RHP (Kannapolis, N.C. / A.L. Brown HS)
2005 – Jay McConnell, C (Mt. Holly, N.C. / East Gaston HS)
2012 – Ryan Hodge, SS (Matthews, N.C. / Butler HS)
2012 – Mitch Warner, LHP (Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg HS)
2014 – Matt Simmons, DH (Charlotte, N.C. / Charlotte Christian)