DALLAS - The Citadel junior closer Skylar Hunter has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason All-America third team, the organization announced on Tuesday.

Hunter enters the 2015 campaign with a career total of 28 saves, only one behind Citadel all-time leader and Athletic Hall of Fame member Hank Kraft. Hunter tied the school record for most saves in a season with 15 a year ago, ranking first in the Southern Conference and tied for 11th nationally.

The right-hander from Hanahan, S.C., allowed 22 hits and struck out 44 in 43.0 innings, posted an ERA of 1.67 and held opponents to a batting average of .152. Among his saves were two against nationally-ranked teams. He closed out a Bulldog win over No. 8 Louisville when he retired the final six batters including three strikeouts and finished off a victory over No. 6 South Carolina when he fanned the potential tie run in the ninth.

Hunter also picked up two wins last year in which he went a total of seven innings. He struck out four and did not allow a run in season-high four innings against eventual Super Regional qualifier College of Charleston and tossed three innings of two-hit shutout ball with three strikeouts against Coastal Carolina.

Hunter assumed the closer's role during the fall of his freshman season and proceeded to save 13 games to rank second in the SoCon and 20th in the country. The first Bulldog to record double figures in saves since Link Saunders in 2006, Hunter struck out 44 in 35.1 innings, an average of 11.21 per nine innings, and was named second team All-SoCon and to the Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America squad.

Two other SoCon players – Western Carolina second baseman Brad Strong and Samford closer Andres Gracia – are also on the NCBWA preseason third team.

The Citadel begins its 2015 season on Friday, Feb. 13 when Air Force visits Riley Park in the opener of a three-game series. The Bulldogs have 36 regular season home games on the slate and then play host to the SoCon Tournament May 19-24.

To purchase a season pass or buy individual game tickets, call The Citadel ticket office at 843-953-DOGS (3647) or stop by McAlister Field House during regular business hours.