There were three Cowboys on the list when the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its All-America teams on Wednesday, as Carson Benge, Brian Holiday and Nolan Schubart were all named to the NCBWA All-America Second Team.
This was the second time Schubart was deemed an All-American after receiving several honors last year. He’s just the 13th player in program history to be named an All-American in multiple seasons. This season, Schubart was selected as an outfielder after hitting .370 and leading the Big 12 in home runs (23), RBIs (68), on-base percentage (.513) and slugging percentage (.838). He did all that after missing 12 games because of injury. Schubart was also named to the Perfect Game All-America Second Team.
Benge made the team as a utility player after excelling as a two-way star this season. At the plate, Benge had a .335 batting average, a Big 12-leading 165 total bases, 72 runs, 64 RBIs, 83 hits and 18 home runs. On the mound, he posted a 3-2 record and 3.16 ERA in 18 appearances after beginning the season as the Cowboys’ closer before finishing the campaign as a starter. As the closer, Benge tied for a team-high three saves. Overall, he recorded 44 strikeouts and opponents hit just .186 against him.
The NCBWA All-American honor just added to Benge’s stack of accolades this season. He also earned All-America Second Team honors from Perfect Game. He was an All-Big 12 First Team outfielder, one of five finalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and the Most Outstanding Player at the Big 12 Championship. Benge is also projected by most outlets to be a first-round pick in the upcoming MLB Draft as an outfielder.
For Holiday, he garnered All-America status in his first season in Stillwater after transferring from Central Florida Junior College. The right-handed starter had a 2.95 ERA in 16 appearances. He pitched at least six innings in 15 of those 16 outings, resulting in a Big 12-leading 113 innings pitched. His ERA was second-best in the conference.
Schubart, Benge and Holiday gaining All-America status as a trio gives OSU three or more All-Americans in a single season for only the ninth time. The Cowboys also now reach 142 total All-Americans.
Read this original article at Pistols Firing Blog.