Four Spartans Named to ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Team

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The 2023 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II All-Region teams and Regional Players of the Year have been announced in all eight regions, with the University of Tampa placing four on the first team.

The four Spartans on the first team include J.D. Urso, E.J. Cumbo, Jordan Lala and Alex Canney.

Urso, a shortstop from Tampa, Fla., has been a first-team all-region selection by the NCBWA, D2CCA and now ABCA/Rawlings, and was also a member of the all-SSC team. While hitting .374, Urso led all Spartans with 25 doubles, which was the highest in program history by a shortstop, and 32 extra-base hits while reaching base in all 54 games this season. He also finished the season with five home runs and 57 RBI, scoring 53 runs while carrying an on-base percentage of .461. He ranked first in the SSC in doubles, and currently places fourth nationally in the category and 10th in doubles per game.

Cumbo, a junior from East Meadow, N.Y., is the 2023 Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. Also a first-team all-region selection by D2CCA and NCBWA, Cumbo was a first-team all-SSC choice as well. He concluded the 2023 campaign with a .416 batting average, six home runs and a team-leading 63 RBI. His 91 hits and .603 slugging percentage also ranked as team highs.

Lala, a senior from Tampa, Fla., was the top hitter in the SSC while finishing the season with a .445 batting average. The first-team all-SSC selection was also named first-team NCBWA and D2CCA all-region. He set a school record with 79 runs scored in 2023 while his batting average went down as third in Spartan history. Lala was also the team leader with 32 stolen bases, 54 walks and a .569 on-base percentage. His walks also place him fifth in the nation, and first in the SSC.

Canney, a sophomore from Valrico, Fla., was selected as the SSC Pitcher of the Year, while also being first-team D2CCA and NCBWA all-region. The pitcher finished the 2023 season with a perfect 9-0 record. Sporting a 2.49 ERA, Canney tossed 76.0 innings with 53 strikeouts for the Spartans.

VIEW ALL-REGION TEAMS: https://abca.org/ABCA/Awards/All-Region/NCAA_Div_II/2023.aspx

The teams are voted on by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association and the process is led by the ABCA NCAA Div. II All-America Committee. The Chair of the ABCA NCAA Div. II All-America & Coach of the Year Committee is Rudy Garbalosa of Lynn University. Also on the committee are Randy Betten (Cal Poly Pomona), Jamie Detillion, Jim Gantt (Catawba College), Rick Giannetti (Dominican College), Dave Hajek (University of Colorado at Colorado Springs), Alex Koch (Wayne State College) and Joe Spano (Mercyhurst University).

The ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. II All-America teams will be announced the evening of Friday, June 2 immediately following the Opening Banquet at the 2023 NCAA Div. II World Series in Cary, North Carolina. First Team All-Region selections are eligible for All-America honors.

The ABCA Region All-Defensive teams for all divisions will be announced on Monday, June 19. The ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams for all divisions will be announced on Wednesday, June 21.

The ABCA All-America team was first recognized in 1949 and now includes nine divisions: NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, Pacific Association Division, and high school. ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams were first recognized in 2007.

Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 40 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.

About Rawlings

Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels. Rawlings' unparalleled quality and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and an approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.