Pair Tabbed Preseason All-America

HOUSTON – Two University of Houston Baseball student-athletes, Justin Murray and Jake Rainess, were named National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-Americans on Tuesday.

Murray, a utility player who began his career at Dartmouth, was named to the Second Team as a utility player after he racked up a team-high 10 saves out of the bullpen in 2023 for the Cougars while leading the American Athletic Conference in average (.379) and hitting posting double digit home run (11) and double (11) numbers. Murray's 5-0 record out of the bullpen led the team in winning percentage on his way to a 3.07 ERA and All-America Third Team honors a year ago. The right-hander was named a Top 50 first baseman by D1Baseball on Jan. 31 as the 22nd ranked first baseman.

Rainess, a senior transfer from Maine, was named to the Third Team as a shortstop after he helped lean the Black Bears to the NCAA Tournament in 2023 while hitting .321 with 16 home runs, 14 doubles and 38 stolen bases. The shortstop's 38 stolen bases in 2023 lead all NCWBA Preseason All-Americans. Rainess was named the 13th best shortstop in the country by D1Baseball on Monday and the fourth best in the Big 12 Conference.

In total, there are 45 different schools and 16 DI conferences represented on the 2024 DI All-America teams, which also have individuals honored from 22 teams ranked in various preseason polls. Houston is one of 19 schools to have at least two athletes on the All-America list and one of four Big 12 schools with multiple honorees.

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