Gilblair Earns Spot on D3baseball.com 50th Anniversary Team
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College head baseball coach Shawn Gilblair has been named to the D3baseball.com 50th Anniversary Team, earning recognition as one of the greatest two-way players in NCAA Division III baseball history.
Gilblair was selected to the anniversary team in two different roles, earning Second Team Utility honors as both a position player and pitcher following an outstanding career at Eastern Connecticut State University from 2006-09. The D3baseball.com 50th Anniversary Team recognizes the top players from the first 50 years of NCAA Division III baseball, with four teams selected to honor the sport's all-time greats.
"I'd like to thank D3baseball.com for recognizing the rich 50-year history of Division III baseball and for their continued commitment to promoting our game by providing outstanding recognition and exposure for both programs and student-athletes," said Gilblair. "I'm incredibly honored to be included on the Golden Team. I had the privilege of playing for a legendary head coach alongside an exceptional group of teammates. This honor is a reflection of the people I was fortunate enough to play with and learn from throughout my career."
As a hitter, Gilblair finished his collegiate career with a .373 batting average while recording 236 hits, 152 runs scored, 57 doubles, 10 triples, 29 home runs, and 194 RBI. On the mound, he won 28 of 35 pitching decisions with a 2.31 ERA and 281 strikeouts in 256 2/3 innings.
Additionally, Gilblair was a three-time First Team All-American, a two-time New England Player of the Year, a two-time Co-National Player of the Year, a three-time New England Collegiate Baseball League Top Pitcher, and a member of the D3baseball.com All-Decade Team.
Since arriving at Mitchell in 2024, Gilblair has continued the program's winning tradition, leading the Mariners to an 88-45 overall record and a 43-9 mark in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play. During his first three seasons, he has guided Mitchell to two GNAC championships (2024, 2026), two NCAA Tournament appearances, and three consecutive GNAC Championship Series.
In his first season at the helm, Gilblair led the Mariners to a 34-13 record, matching the program's NCAA Division III-era record for wins while capturing the program's first GNAC championship and earning GNAC Coach of the Year honors. His 2026 squad followed with a second conference championship in three seasons after posting a 29-14 record and a 16-4 mark in conference play, further cementing Mitchell's status among the top Division III programs in the region.
To view the complete D3baseball.com 50th Anniversary Team, please click here.
