Rogers Named NCBWA First Team All-American

AUSTIN, Texas – Evan Rogers has been named a first team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced officials Wednesday. Rogers becomes the first NCBWA All-American for Mars Hill University.

Rogers is a senior shortstop from Kernersville, N.C. Prior to being named to the NCBWA All-American first team, he has been selected to the ABCA/Rawlings All-Southeast Region first team and selected to the D2SIDA NCAA Southeast Region team. Rogers was the 2016 South Atlantic Conference Player of the Year, named to the 2016 NCAA Division II National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Southeast Region first team and was a first team All-SAC selection. Rogers was also voted the Mars Hill University Male Athlete of the Year.

Mars Hill Head Baseball Coach Aaron Rembert stated, "I am so proud of Evan. He has worked so hard the past four years to earn this honor. He is the epitome of what you want from your best player. He is the hardest worker, plays the game the right way and he is very humble. He is a huge reason why our program went from 10 wins his freshman year to 30 wins his senior year."

Rogers' 19 homeruns on the season set a new Mars Hill record while also ranking first in the conference. Evan was also able to lead the team and conference in runs (66) and slugging percentage (.855). A .390 batting average was tops among the Blue and Gold as well as a career-high 55 runs batted in. Rogers' most impressive game came in a 10-8 win over Wingate on February 28, belting three dingers and tallying six RBI.

Mars Hill finished the 2016 campaign with a 30-18 overall record, the most wins since the 2006 team collected 32 wins.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Howser Award Player of the Year, Regional Player of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors preseason All-America awards, publication and writing contests.

Click here for the complete list of award winners...

2016 NCBWA/NCAA Division II All-America Baseball Team
National Player of the Year: Alex Wojciechowski, Minnesota-Duluth
National Pitcher of the Year: Placido Torres, Tusculum
National Coach of the Year: John Shehan, Millersville

First Team
C – John Silviano, Lynn
1B – Alex Wojciechowski, Minnesota-Duluth
2B – Dylan Cook, Georgia College
3B – Kyle Comer, Minnesota-Duluth
SS – Evan Rogers, Mars Hill
OF – Luke Ortel, Hillsdale
OF – Ryan Snyder, Quincy
OF – Corey Wood, Arkansas-Monticello
DH – Brandon Gomez, Nova Southeastern
UT – Reese Gregory, St. Cloud State
SP – Guillaume Blanchette, Lubbock Christian
SP – Brandon Miller, Millersville
SP – Placido Torres, Tusculum
RP – Matt Williams, Grand Valley State

Second Team
C – Will Albertson, Catawba
1B – J.D. Arrowood, St. Edward's
2B – David Glaude, Missouri Western
3B – Jay Jabs, Franklin Pierce
SS – Alexander DeGoti, Barry
OF – Shane Billings, Wingate
OF – Jordan Godman, Colorado State-Pueblo
OF – Patrick O'Donnell, Augustana
DH – Tyler Walters, Slippery Rock
UT – Justin Blechle, Quincy
SP – Matt Kostalos, St. Thomas Aquinas
SP – JR McDermott, Colorado Mesa
SP – Colin McKee, Mercyhurst
RP – Brandon Bonilla, Hawaii Pacific

Third Team
C – David Gauntt, Washburn
1B – Mike McClellan, Columbus State
2B – Fernando Garza, Philadelphia
3B – JP Sorma, Ashland
SS – Tre Porter, Shepherd
OF – Tyler Bugner, Newman
OF – Zach Daly, Lander
OF – Will Robertson, Delta State
DH – Jesse Rall, Missouri Southern
UT – Rudy Navarro, Cal State East Bay
SP – Matt Festa, East Stroudsburg
SP – Brandyn Sittinger, Ashland
SP – Bryce Zak, Angelo State
RP – Devin Raftery, Nova Southeastern

Honorable Mention
Catcher: Mitch Stoltzfus, Millersville (Pa.). First Base: Ben Holland, Lee (Tenn.). Second Base: Trent Giambrone, Delta State (Miss.); Hunter McFall, Lubbock Christian (Texas). Third Base: Stephen Lohr, California Baptist; Jared Wiesen, Gannon (Pa.). Shortstop: Tanner Morache, Dixie State (Utah); Nathan Prindle, Lindenwood. Outfield: Ryan Baldwin, Barry (Fla.); Robert Bennie, East Stroudsburg (Pa.); Sam Machonis, Florida Southern; J.J. Sarty, Shepherd; Karl Sorensen, St. Cloud State (Minn.). Designated Hitter: Zach Moon, USC Aiken; Trevor Podratz, Western Oregon; Alnaydo Rodriguez, Bridgeport (Mass.). Utility: Nate Olinger, Colorado Mines. Starting Pitcher: Wilson Adams, Alabama-Huntsville; Braden Chambers, Arkansas-Monticello; Tre Hobbs, Delta State (Miss.); Sheldon Miks, St. Cloud State (Minn.); Dylan Stowell, California Baptist; Tim Viehoff, Southern New Hampshire