Mark Payton Named Third Team All-American by Baseball America
Texas senior center fielder Mark Payton has been named a third team All-American by Baseball America, the publication announced Wednesday.
Payton is batting .326 with 15 doubles, five triples, two home runs and 19 stolen bases. He has drawn 55 walks, which leads the Big 12, and his .467 on-base percentage also leads the conference. He is currently in the midst of a 101 straight game reached-base streak dating back to last season, which leads the nation and is the longest in Big 12 history.
Payton has been instrumental in leading Texas to the College World Series. In NCAA Tournament play, he is batting .400 (8-for-20) with two doubles, a home run, three RBI, six runs scored, seven walks and four stolen bases.
Payton is a career .321 hitter and ranks in the top ten in school history in total bases (382, seventh), walks (146, seventh), sac bunts (38, tied for second), games started (229, second), at-bats (850, third) and triples (19, second). He is also the Big 12 active career leader in total bases, walks, triples, doubles (50), RBI (121) and on-base percentage (.427).
A first team All-Big 12 selection, Payton is also one of 10 finalists for the Senior CLASS Award which is presented annually to a NCAA Division I senior who has notable achievements in four areas of excellence -- community, classroom, character and competition.
