By ALBERT GRINDLE

Staff Writer

KENT — Kent State outfielder Ben Klafczynski had no problem adjusting from high school to Division I college baseball this spring.

So when it came time for postseason all-star teams to be revealed, publications took notice.

The Highland High graduate and 2007 Gazette MVP picked up four Freshman All-America honors this week, including one first-team selection.

“It’s definitely showing I’m heading in the right direction,” Klafczynski said. “It’s an honor and I don’t know what to say. It’s good to get stuff like this and get your name out for the (professional) scouts. It helps out my future.”

Along with being tabbed a first-team pick by Louisville Slugger, Klafczynski, a 6-foot-3, 195-pounder, was named to the All-Baseball America second team, All-rivals.com second team and All-Ping! Baseball third unit.

Klafczynski joins teammate and Strongsville graduate Anthony Gallas as the only players in KSU history to be named to three or more separate Freshman All-American teams.

The honors came after Klafczynski hit .339 for the Golden Flashes (36-21) in a starting role. The left-handed power hitter bombed 11 home runs, drove in 35 and had the top slugging percentage nationally among freshmen with a .630 clip.

In Mid-American Conference play, Klafczynski was even better, batting .378 with five home runs and 13 RBI. His overall slugging percentage ranked fourth in the 13-team league.

The right fielder/designated hitter joined Cleveland St. Ignatius graduate Derek Dietrich, the other elite Ohio player from the class of 2011, on all four squads.

Dietrich, an infielder for Georgia Tech who was a 2007 MLB third-round draft pick, was named first-team All-Louisville Slugger, first-team All-rivals.com, second-team All-Baseball America and second-team All-Ping! Baseball.

“I’m just trying to work really hard and do my best,” Klafczynski said.

Grindle may be reached at agrindle@ohio.net or 330-721-4043.