2024 CSC Academic All-America Baseball Teams

AUSTIN, Texas – Colorado School of Mines baseball utility star Luke Folsom was named Third-Team Academic All-America by College Sports Communicators (CSC) on Tuesday, capping a historic season and career for the Orediggers.
 
Tuesday's announcement garnered Folsom the second CSC Academic All-America award of his career after he earned first-team distinction in 2022. He's one of nine individuals in program history to earn the honor. Those nine have accumulated 15 of the prestigious nods. The last Oredigger baseball player to win multiple CSC Academic All-America awards was Walter Pennington in 2019 and 2020. Other multi-time winners from the Mines baseball team include Mikey Gangwish, Joe Popp, and Nate Olinger. Folsom
 
The prestigious nod for Folsom comes after he earned his bachelor's degree from Mines in mechanical engineering with a final grade-point average (GPA) of 3.73. It adds to a season resume that includes all-American honors from the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) and National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association (NCBWA), tying him as the most decorated Oredigger in program history. Folsom also earned four all-region awards, was named First-Team All-RMAC as an infielder and starting pitcher. The Littleton, Colo., native became the first Mines player since Nate Olinger to earn multiple First-Team All-RMAC honors in the same season. For his career, Folsom is a seven-time all-region player and four-time all-American. In his final season, the Columbine High School graduate started on the mound, at third base, and at designated hitter. As a starting pitcher, Folsom went 6-1 with a .487 ERA in 11 starts. He tossed two complete games including a nine-inning win in the RMAC tournament. Along the way, Folsom totaled 58 strikeouts compared to 16 walks. He anchored a staff that led the entire RMAC with an ERA of 6.52. He ranked #1 among qualifying pitchers in the conference in ERA and opposing batting average. He was also top-10 in the conference in 11 other pitching categories. At the plate in 2024, Folsom batted .365 with 46 runs on 62 hits including 17 doubles and 11 home runs with 52 RBI. He also drew 24 walks and was hit 20 times for an on-base percentage of .486. After four years with the Orediggers, Folsom appears 30 times in the program record book. Those listings include, but are not limited to, #1 in single-season doubles, #2 in all-time doubles, and #5 in career home runs.
 
William Jewel's Alex Epp was voted CSC Academic All-America of the year for NCAA Division II Baseball. Members  Members of the CSC Academic All-America teams were initially nominated for CSC Academic All-District. A CSC committee then selected the finalists to put on the ballot for CSC Academic All-America. Members of College Sports Communicators voted on the teams. The team member of the year was also selected by a CSC committee. Minimum criteria for all-America recognition required a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5, or better, along with outstanding credentials in competition and a minimum participation requirement.

Fans can keep up with Mines baseball on "X" (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @OrediggersBSB. They can also keep up with Colorado School of Mines Athletics all year long on Facebook, "X" and Instagram using the handle @MinesAthletics.