ABCA/Rawlings Honors Yorvis Torrealba as All-American
BOCA RATON, Fla. - University of Tampa junior outfielder Yorvis Torrealba has been named an All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Rawlings. Torrealba represents the South Region champion Spartans as a second-team selection.
Torrealba, the D2CCA and NCBWA South Region Player of the Year, was named to the All-America second-team by the D2CCA. The SSC Player of the Year entered the postseason ranked atop the conference in batting average (.417), slugging percentage (.697) and runs scored (55). Additionally, he ranked in the Top-5 in hits (73), stolen bases (19), on-base percentage (.502), doubles (14), and home runs (11). Against SSC pitching, he led the league batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging with a .426/.539/.689 slash line.
The 7-time national champion Spartans now boast 72 All-American selections. UT has also had at least one All-American in six of the last seven seasons.
Tampa will represent the South Region at the NCAA Division II Championship Series, meeting Atlantic Region champion Mercyhurst on Sunday at 7 p.m., in Cary N.C.
ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team selections, which were announced on Wednesday, were nominated for All-America honors. In all divisions, the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Teams will be announced on Wednesday, June 19, followed by the ABCA/Rawlings National Pitchers of the Year on Monday, June 24 and ABCA/Rawlings Players of the Year on Wednesday, June 26.
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.
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 (Grand Valley State University), Jim Gantt (Catawba College), Rick Giannetti (Dominican College), Matt Jones (Shippensburg University), Rob Penders (St. Edward's University) and Kyle Poock (Winona State University).
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 11,000 members represent all 50 states and 25 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth. The 75th annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 3-6, 2019 in Dallas, Texas.
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