Klocke attracts more All-American honors

Southeast Missouri State catcher Jim Klocke has picked up another major honor before his senior season even starts.

Klocke has been named to the Louisville Slugger Collegiate Baseball All-American preseason third team.

Klocke was a third-team Louisville Slugger Collegiate Baseball All-American and first-team all-Ohio Valley Conference selection in 2009 when he finished the season ranked in the top 100 nationally in batting average (.394, 86th), doubles (20, 64th) and on-base percentage (.484, 73rd). He had nine homers, 46 RBIs and a .654 slugging percentage.

Also first-team all-OVC as a sophomore after earning the league's freshman of the year award in 2007, Klocke is just the second Southeast baseball player to earn All-American honors in multiple seasons.

Klocke, also a second team Academic All-American last year, was drafted in the 46th round by the St. Louis Cardinals but decided to return to Southeast for his final collegiate season.

Southeast opens the 2010 campaign with a three-game series at Auburn beginning Feb. 19.

-- Southeast Missourian