April 26, 2010

Columbia, S.C. – Former South Carolina baseball player Steven Tolleson has been called up to the Major Leagues by the Oakland Athletics. The former Gamecock infielder is scheduled to be with the club as they begin a series in Tampa Bay vs. the Rays beginning on Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. ET. Tolleson had started off the season in Triple-A with the Sacramento River Cats and had a .333 batting average (16-for-48) with eight runs scored. He is one of five former Gamecocks to currently be in Major League Baseball along with Adam Everett (Tigers), Landon Powell (A’s) Brian Roberts (Orioles) and Justin Smoak (Rangers).

In his three-year career at Carolina, Tolleson (2003-04-05) hit a career .305 (176-for-578) and played in 171 games for the Garnet & Black. He played on three NCAA Regional teams including two squads that made it to the College World Series in 2003 and 2004. Tolleson earned first-team All-SEC honors at shortstop his junior season in 2005 for the Gamecocks. In his sophomore season in 2004, he was a .316 hitter (62-for-196) and earned SEC Tournament Co-MVP honors along with Kevin Melillo as the Gamecocks claimed the conference tournament championship. Tolleson also was named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament team as a freshman as the Gamecocks claimed the regional championship in Atlanta, Ga. on the way to a berth into the College World Series. Tolleson also performed in the classroom as a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member in 2004 and 2005. Tolleson signed a professional contract with the Twins in the summer of 2005 after being a fifth round selection.

Tolleson’s brother, Clint, currently is a redshirt freshman on the South Carolina men’s golf team.