Brendan McKay NCAA Freshman of the Year: Henzman & Leland Frosh All-Americans

Mark BlankenbakerJune 4, 2015

Louisville left-handed pitcher and first baseman Brendan McKay was chosen as a national Freshman of the Year by Collegiate Baseball newspaper on Wednesday while right-handed pitchers Lincoln Henzman and Sean Leland joined him as Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-Americans.

McKay (Darlington, Pa.) was tabbed as one of two Freshman Player of the Year honorees by Collegiate Baseball sharing the accolade with Florida’s J.J. Schwarz. He was also among three multiple position athletes selected as a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans. Both Henzman (Lexington, Ky.) and Leland (Orland Park, Ill.) were tabbed as Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans as relief pitchers.

Chosen as the ACC Freshman of the Year and a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, McKay has an 8-3 record with a 1.71 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 89.2 innings and 19 appearances on the mound, including 12 straight weekend starts. An All-ACC First Team selection as a pitcher and a Second Team honoree as a utility player, McKay is hitting .315 with three home runs, 32 RBI, 38 walks and 31 runs scored in 55 starts as a hitter.

Named to the ACC All-Freshman Team, Henzman has served as a key member of Louisville’s bullpen leading the pitching staff in appearances with 26 during his rookie season, including 24 in relief. In 51.1 innings of work this season, he has a 5-1 mark with a 1.93 ERA and 44 strikeouts. Henzman has not allowed an earned run in a relief appearance since March 14, a span of 15 outings and 25 innings.

Leland has been equally as dependable and effective for the Cardinals in 2015 earning a 4-0 record with a 2.09 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 43.0 innings of work. In his first collegiate season, Leland has four starts on the mound and 19 total appearances, the third highest total on the team.

Up next, No. 3 national seed Louisville (46-16) will host 11th-ranked Cal State Fullerton (37-22) in a best-of-three NCAA Super Regional starting Saturday at 11 a.m., ET at Jim Patterson Stadium.