HOOVER, Ala. — After leading Kentucky in nearly every offensively category during a historic 2012 regular season, centerfielder Austin Cousino has been named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year by SEbaseball.com, it was announced on Monday morning.

A native of Dublin, Ohio, Cousino has been a driving force behind the historic regular season turned in by the Wildcats. The 5-foot-10, 178-pound left-handed hitter, has started 55 of 56 games in centerfield and as the leadoff sparkplug for Kentucky.

Cousino – a selection to the 22-man 2012 USA Collegiate National Team – has hit .330 during his freshman season, with 19 doubles, one triple, nine homers and 38 RBI, stealing 11 bases and pacing the conference with eight outfield assists.

Cousino has started all 30 conference games for UK, batting a team-best .302 in league action with 10 doubles, six homers and 17 RBI, drawing a team-high 14 walks and swiping six bags vs. the SEC. He ranks among the SEC leaders in nearly every offensively category in 2012, ranking ninth in slugging (.542), second in runs (56), seventh in hits (75), second in doubles (19), eighth in homers (nine) and third in total bases (123).

SEbaseball.com also tabbed UK’s Gary Henderson as the SEC Coach of the Year on Sunday. The official conference awards, voted on by the league coaches, are not released until the conclusion of the SEC Tournament.

Cousino has set new UK freshmen records in hits (75) and runs scored (56) and ranks among the program’s top three in freshmen history in doubles, homers and RBI.