NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University left handed pitcher Devin Hemmerich was named Wednesday to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-America Team as selected by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, the organization announced.

Hemmerich was selected as a relief pitcher. He tied for the team-lead with 21 appearances this season, with all but five coming in relief. Hemmerich compiled a 5-3 record with a team-best five saves and a 2.49 earned-run average in 61.1 innings pitched. He walked just 13 and struck out 38 batters in his first year as a Spartan and opponents hit just .246 against him.

The rookie from Norfolk, Va., was selected to the All-MEAC second team as a relief pitcher last month. He finished the year second in the conference in saves and fourth in ERA. He was particularly strong in the MEAC Tournament, pitching a total of 12.1 innings and allowing just seven hits and one run. He saved NSU’s first win in the tourney against North Carolina Central with 3.2 scoreless innings of relief, then came back three days later to get the start and pitched a complete-game six-hitter in the Spartans’ elimination game win over NCCU. He struck out a season-high eight and allowed just one run in that contest.

Hemmerich is NSU’s third Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in the school’s Division I era, joining reliever Ryan VanAssche (2011) and infielder Juan Serrano (2004). Hemmerich was one of just two MEAC players to make this year’s list, joining NCCU outfielder Carlos Ortiz. The full list can be seen at www.baseballnews.com.