Willcutt, Best Named ABCA All-South Region
6/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Willcutt, Best Named ABCA All-South Region
Brad Willcutt was named First Team ABCA All-South Region today |
Daniel Best was named Second Team ABCA All-South Region today |
HATTIESBURG, Miss.? Senior catcher Brad Willcutt and junior closer Daniel Best were named ABCA All-South Region today. Willcutt was a first team selection, while Best earned second team honors.
With the selections, Southern Miss has now had 13 ABCA All-South Region honorees since 1994. Southern Miss has now had members of the All-Region team for four-straight years, dating back to 2002. Willcutt?s first-team selection is the school?s first since Jeff Cook and Clint King were tabbed in 2003.
Willcutt was a first team All-Conference USA selection, first-team NCBWA first team All-American and third team Louisville Slugger TPX All-American this season. The
Willcutt, a 27th round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers in Major League Baseball?s Draft, became Southern Miss? career leader in runs (202) in 2005, and also owns the school record for doubles (72) and RBI (236). With 289 career hits, he closed his career just four short of the all-time record, held by Jeff Cook.
Best, one of the five finalist for the Stopper of the Year Award, emerged as a dominant closer for the Golden Eagles this season, allowing just two earned runs in 39 innings pitched (0.46 ERA). He posted a record of 3-0 and saved 11 games over 30 appearances. Best struck out 37 batters and walked just seven, while holding opponents to a .229 batting average. Best?s selection marks the third straight season that a Southern Miss closer has earned All-America honors, as Austin Tubb earned third team recognition in 2003 and first team honors last year.
Southern Miss finished its season with a 41-21 overall record, earning the school?s third consecutive 40-win season, a school record. The Golden Eagles also earned a bid to an NCAA Regional for the third-straight season, also a school record.
ABCA All-South Region First Team:
Catcher: Brad Willcutt, Sr., Southern Miss
First Base: Matt LaPorta, So., Florida
Second Base: John Shelby, So., Kentucky
Shortstop: Tommy Manzella, Sr., Tulane
Third Base: Chase Headley, Jr., Tennessee
DH/Utility: Stephen Head, Jr., Ole Miss
Outfield: Eli Iorg, Jr., Tennessee
Outfield: Ryan Patterson, Sr., LSU
Outfield: Brian Pettway, Jr., Ole Miss
Starting Pitcher: Brian Bogusevic, Jr., Tulane
Starting Pitcher: Luke Hochevar, Jr., Tennessee
Starting Pitcher: Greg Smith, Jr., LSU
Relief Pitcher: John Madden, Sr., Auburn
ABCA All-South Region Second Team:
Catcher: Henry Gutierrez, Sr., Troy
First Base: Adam Tucker, Jr., Birmingham-Southern
Second Base: Adam Davis, So., Florida
Shortstop: Justin Tordi, Jr., Florida
Third Base: Jeff Baisley, Sr., South Florida
DH/Utility: Micah Owings, Jr., Tulane
Outfield: Jeff Corsaletti, Sr., Florida
Outfield: Adam Godwin, Sr., Troy
Outfield: Nick Stavinoha, Sr., LSU
Starting Pitcher: Brad Adcock, Sr., Troy
Starting Pitcher: Rowdy Hardy, Jr., Austin Peay
Starting Pitcher: Jensen Lewis, Jr., Vanderbilt
Relief Pitcher: Daniel Best, Jr., Southern Miss