Six Spartans Named to ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region Team

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The American Baseball Coaches Association announced its 2014 ABCA/Rawlings Division II All-South Region teams. Ut totaled six players on the list as the Sunshine State Conference had 15 selections, including Lynn's Sal Giardina, Jr. being named ABCA South Region Position Player of the Year.

Michael Danner, Stephen Dezzi and Preston Packrall were each on the first team, with David Heintz, Kevin McNorton and Nick Tindall earning a spot on the second team.

Earning a spot on the ABCA/Rawlings Division II All-South Region First Team were: 1B Fran Whitten (Saint Leo), INF Stephen Dezzi (Tampa), C Sal Giardina, Jr. (Lynn), OF Sheehan Planas-Arteaga (Barry), OF Michael Danner (Tampa), P Preston Packrall (Tampa), P Jed Vandernaald (Lynn) and RP Bill Mendek (Lynn).

Named to the second team were: INF Alex Debellis (Lynn), C Nick Tindall (Tampa), OF Dominic Brugnoni (Florida Southern), P Scotty Ward (Florida Tech), P David Heintz (Tampa), P Jimmy Gutowski (Eckerd) and RP Kevin McNorton (Tampa).

Each member of the first team will be eligible for ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II All-American consideration, which will be selected on Sunday, May 25 in Cary, N.C. in conjunction with the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship. The Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year from each region will be guaranteed a spot on one of the three All-American teams.

ABCA/Rawlings Division II All-South Region

FIRST TEAM
1B - Fran Whitten, Saint Leo
2B - Matthew Fears, Valdosta State
3B - Cash Oliver, Tuskegee
SS - Fernando Tanaka, Stillman
INF - Stephen Dezzi, Tampa
C - Sal Giardina, Jr., Lynn
OF James Campbell, Albany State
OF - Sheehan Planas-Arteaga, Barry
OF - Michael Danner, Tampa
OF - Dex Herrington, Delta State
P - Jordan DeLorenzo, West Florida
P - Preston Packrall, Tampa
P - Dawson Brown, West Florida
P - Jed Vandernaald, Lynn
RP - Bill Mendek, Lynn
DH - Bryant Hayman, Valdosta State

Position Player of the Year: Sal Giardina, Jr., Lynn
Pitcher of the Year: Jordan DeLorenzo, West Florida
Coach of the Year: Regional Champion Coach (TBD)

SECOND TEAM
1B - Nick Baldelli-Boggs, Stillman
2B - Kasey Hinton, Delta State
3B - Chris Farrel, Palm Beach Atlantic
SS - Mike Reed, Valdosta Sate
SS - Blake Massey, Alabama-Huntsville
INF - Alex Debellis, Lynn
C - Nick Tindall, Tampa
OF - Dominic Brugnoni, Florida Southern
OF - Jordan Chovanec, Delta State
OF - Austin Southall, West Florida
OF - Will Robertson, Delta State
P - Scotty Ward, Florida Tech
P - Drew Eiland, Alabama-Huntsville
P - Michael Manley, Delta State
P - David Heintz, Tampa
P - Jimmy Gutowski, Eckerd
RP - Kevin McNorton, Tampa
DH - Mitch Holgate, West Alabama