South Region Pitcher of the Year Skylar Gonzalez Headlines NCBWA All-Region Awards
LAKELAND, Fla. - On the eve of the 2024 NCAA Division II Baseball Tournament, the University of Tampa placed seven players on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) All-South Region team. Additionally, Skylar Gonzalez was named the South Region Pitcher of the Year and head coach Joe Urso the South Region Coach of the Year.
Joining Gonzalez on the first team are catcher Santiago Garavito, outfielder E.J. Cumbo, and pitcher Alex Canney. Earning a spot on the second team were outfielder Mike Valdez, designated hitter J.P. Gates, and relief pitcher Andrew Carson.
The 43-7 Spartans enter their 24th straight NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 team in the nation and will host the four-team South Regional. The Spartans open NCAA play against Savannah State University on Thursday at 1 pm at the UT Baseball Field. Urso is on the heels of another milestone, needing just two wins to reach 1,000 in his career.
Gonzalez, a senior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has started 15 games this season, carrying a 13-0 overall record. In 84.1 innings the righty has a 2.24 ERA with 60 strikeouts. He is coming off a 5.0 inning scoreless effort at Lynn, where he allowed no hits in the no decision.
The Spartans have the lowest ERA in the nation, with Gonzalez and Canney leading a staff that has a 3.07 team ERA.
2024 NCBWA Division II All-South Region Awards
Player of the Year: Darrien McDowell, Jr., West Florida
Pitcher of the Year: Skyler Gonzalez, Sr., Tampa
Coach of the Year: Joe Urso, Tampa
2024 NCBWA Division II All-South Region First Team
Catcher: Santiago Garavito, Jr., Plantation, Fla., University of Tampa
First Base: Darrien McDowell, Jr., Pensacola, Fla., University of West Florida
Second Base: Jonathan Logsdon, Sr., Leesburg, Ga., Albany State
Shortstop: Merik Carter, So., Shelbyville, Tenn., Alabama Huntsville
Third Base: Dylan Coleman, Jr., Madison, Miss., Delta State
Outfield: E.J. Cumbo, Sr., East Meadow, N.Y., University of Tampa
Outfield: Brandon Daniels, Gr., Springville, Ala., Lee University
Outfield: JT Vance, Jr., Union, Miss., Mississippi College
DH: Hunter Stowe, Jr., Birmingham, Ala., Valdosta State University
Utility: Dennis Pierce, So., Quakertown, Pa., Valdosta State University
Starting Pitcher: Skyler Gonzalez, Sr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla., University of Tampa
Starting Pitcher: Jack Nedrow, Jr., Murfreesboro, Tenn., Lee University
Starting Pitcher: Luke Lashutka, Gr., Fairview Park, Ohio, Saint Leo University
Starting Pitcher: Alex Canney, Jr., Valrico, Fla., University of Tampa
Relief Pitcher: Nick Jennings, Gr., Land O' Lakes, Fla., Saint Leo University
Relief Pitcher: Tim Gooden, Jr., Helena, Ala., Lee University
2024 NCBWA Division II All-South Region Second Team
Catcher: Alex Brodie, Jr., Plainfield, Ill., Shorter
First Base: Callan Moss, Jr., Brooklyn, NY, Saint Leo University
Second Base: Chase Bruno, Sr., Summerville, S.C., Embry-Riddle
Shortstop: Camden Traficante, Jr., Ormond Beach, Fla., Embry-Riddle
Third Base: Zach Dew, Gr., Sylacauga, Ala., Auburn Montgomery
Outfield: Mike Valdez, Sr., Miami, Fla., University of Tampa
Outfield: Caleb Reese, Sr., Bossier City, La., Mississippi College
Outfield: Kendal Spencer, Jr., Tampa, Fla., Savannah State
DH: J.P. Gates, Sr., Brooksville, Fla., University of Tampa
Utility: Dylan Standifer, R-Sr., Cleveland, Tenn., Lee University
Starting Pitcher: Dalton Neuschwander, Jr., Spanish Fort, Ala., West Florida
Starting Pitcher: Nick Berger, Jr., Winter Park, Fla., Rollins College
Starting Pitcher: Seth Crowe, Jr., Rome, Ga., Shorter
Starting Pitcher: Dillon Moran, So., Stuart, Fla., Embry-Riddle
Relief Pitcher: Andrew Carson, Sr., Rochester, Michigan, University of Tampa
Relief Pitcher: Jonathan Hickman, Gr., Ringgold, Ga., University of West Georgia