DelaCruz Named to ABCA/Rawlings All-America Team
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College senior Dougie DelaCruz (Uncasville, Conn.) received another national honor on Thursday night when the 2023 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-America teams were released and announced at the Opening Ceremony of the NCAA Division III College World Series in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. DelaCruz earned one of four outfield spots on the All-America third team, the first time in his prestigious career he has been recognized as an All-America selection by the organizations. He becomes the second player in program history to earn All-America Honors by ABCA/Rawlings, joining Kyle Hartenstein who was a third team selection in 2017.
The ABCA/Rawlings All-America teams are selected by members of the ABCA All-America committees. ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team selections, which were announced Tuesday, were nominated for All-America honors.
DelaCruz started and played in all 43 games and matched his career-high with a .430 batting average. He set career-best marks in on base percentage (.502), slugging percentage (.776), and hit a program individual season best 24 doubles. His 24 doubles were third best in the nation at the Division III level and his .56 doubles per game was eighth in the country. DelaCruz added 60 RBI, also a program single season record, hit seven home runs, six triples, drew 14 walks, and only struck out 18 times in 165 at bats.
In addition to being named NECC Player of the Year for the third time in his career, he was tabbed an All-Region Region 2 First Team selection by D3baseball.com, the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. III Regional Player of the Year in Region 2, and was named to the All-America Second Team by D3baseball.com.
DelaCruz hit safely in 37 of 43 games this season, had 23 games with multiple hits, and had a 20-game hitting streak that lasted from March 12th through April 15th. During the season he also became the all-time home run leader in Mitchell baseball history, ending his career with 24, six more than Jeff Perillo, who belted 18 career homers between 2008-2011.
The Mariners finished with a 33-10 record that included an 11-1 mark in New England Collegiate Conference play. Mitchell picked up their ninth conference title, third in a row, and went on to win a program-best two games in the Regional Round of the NCAA Tournament.
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.
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.
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.
