SEATTLE — Seattle U baseball's Julian Kodama was named by Perfect Game to preseason All-Western Athletic Conference team, released by the organization on Friday, Jan. 29.
Perfect Game's preseason review listed 15 players to its preseason all-conference team. The team was comprised of all four starter pitchers, one reliever, a designated hitter and utility, in addition to three outfielders, one catcher and four infielders.
Perfect Game's Preseason Review: WAC
Kodama was recognized as the organization's third base selection after starting all 16 games in 2020, including 10 at the hot corner. The junior recorded a single-season program-record with a team-best .379 batting average, a mark that was also good third on the WAC charts. A native of Edmonds, Wash., Kodama was also among league leaders as he registered seven doubles (t-1st) and 22 hits (5th). He had seven runs batted-in, five walks and a .422 on-base percentage, while slugging .500.
Per NCAA Stats, Kodama finished 2020 ranked as the WAC's toughest batter to strikeout, averaging 14.5 pitches per at-bat, while ranking 34th nationally in doubles and being among the Top 60 in doubles per game (59th, 0.44). He enters the 2021 season with a .307 career batting average, good for listed seventh-overall on Seattle U all-time list.
Kodama becomes the first Redhawk to be recognized by Perfect Game with preseason honors since the 2017 campaign when first baseman Sean Sutton and pitchers Zach Wolf and Nick Meservey were each mentioned.
Seattle U baseball is scheduled to begin the 2021 campaign on the road, as it opens the year with 15 of the first 18 games away from Bannerwood Park, beginning with Opening Day on Feb. 19 at Portland. First pitch with the Pilots is scheduled for 12 pm. For the complete 2021 baseball schedule, visit the team's schedule page on GoSeattleU.com.
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Previous SU Preseason Mentions by Perfect Game — 2017: Sean Sutton, 1B; Nick Meservey, SP & POTY; Zach Wolf, RP; 2016: Sheldon Stober, DH; Tarik Skubal, SP; 2015: Brian Olson, C; Landon Cray, OF