Amaral named Freshman All-American

UCLA center fielder Beau Amaral, a 2009 graduate of Huntington Beach High, has been named second-team Freshman All-America by Baseball America.

He was one of six outfielders to earn the honor. Amaral and Jabari Henry of Florida International, and Cohl Walla of Texas, made second team. Max White (Oklahoma), Logan Vick (Baylor) and Jeremy Baltz (St. John’s) made first team.

In 64 games, Amaral, 19, led the Bruins with a .354 batting average, had a team-high 79 hits that included four home runs, 12 doubles and 31 runs batted in. He drew 20 walks, was hit by pitch 16 times and had a .442 on-base average.

The .354 batting average was the best by a Bruin freshman since 1998.

In UCLA’s 12 postseason games — the Bruins finished runner-up to South Carolina in the finals of the College World Series — Amaral hit .396 with 19 hits, including six doubles and 13 runs scored in 48 at-bats.

“Beau had a tremendous season,” UCLA Coach John Savage said, adding that Amaral was Honorable Mention All-Pacific-10 Conference. “He’s a guy who would lead-off for us, hit second, play any role you put him in. On top of that, he played outstanding defense.”

During the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., in late-June, Amaral batted .375 with three doubles, two RBIs and four runs. He joined teammates, fellow freshman infielder Cody Regis and sophomore pitcher Trevor Bauer, on the all-tournament team in Omaha.

“He really played under control on the big stage,” Savage said of Amaral’s performance at the College World Series. “That shows you something about his demeanor, his presence on the field and his upbringing. That’s really a credit to his family.

“I really can’t say enough about Beau. He came in and had as special a season of any freshman I’ve ever coached.”