POMONA -- Senior All-American RHP Josh Pond, the nation's top saves leader in 2011, has been named a National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) preseason All-American, the association announced Tuesday.

The San Diego native established the Coyotes single-season saves record with 16 and tied the CCAA record. He was a 39^th round selection by the San Diego Padres in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, but elected to play his senior season with the Coyotes.
 
Two other players in the CCAA were named preseason All-Americans -- Cal State L.A. senior right-hander Gabriel Asakura and UC San Diego junior outfielder Danny Susdorf.
 
The Coyotes open the 2012 season Thursday when they play host to Azusa Pacific. First pitch is 2 p.m. at Fiscalini Field.