June 15, 2016
2016 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. I All-Region Teams
GREENSBORO, N.C. ââ'¬" RHP Jack Anderson (Evanston, Ill.) may be focused on his pro baseball dreams now, but he is still earning recognition for a sensational senior season. The members of the American Baseball Coaches Association voted the submarine throwing reliever to the 2016 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. I Mideast All-Region Second Team, announced Wednesday afternoon.
Also an All-Big Ten third team selection, Anderson was picked in the 23rd round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners with the 687th pick. He will start his pro career with the Everett Aquasox (AA-Short Season).
Anderson becomes the first ABCA All-Region selection from Penn State since Jordan Steranka was voted to the first team in 2012.
Anderson was Penn State's most reliable bullpen option, as he set new career standards at Penn State for saves with 25 and appearances with 98. In 165 2/3 career innings pitched, he never allowed a home run. His senior season in 2016 was his finest. He set Penn State's single-season record for saves with 13 to tie for the Big Ten lead and totaled a career-best 2.14 ERA in 54 2/3 innings pitched, just a third of an inning shy of being eligible to qualify amongst the league leaders for ERA. Of his 29 appearances on the year, which tied for the second most in program history and second in the league this year, only five were for an inning or less.
Anderson was also successful in the classroom, earning Academic All-District honors (as selected by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America) and Academic All-Big Ten honors. He graduated from Penn State's Smeal College of Business with a degree in supply chain and information systems in May.
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 8,200 members represent all 50 states and 23 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 73rd annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 5-8, 2017 in Anaheim, California.
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, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseballâ"¢ and the NCAA®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®.