by GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of South Alabama baseball right-hander Kevin Hill (Muscogee Creek Nation) was named to the 2015 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division I South Central team, and outfielder Cole Billingsley earned ABCA South Central second-team honors the organization announced Wednesday.
Hill, the 2015 Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year, led the SBC in wins (10), ERA (1.73), opposing batting average (.208) and strikeouts (107). He was named to the Louisville Slugger Division I All-American second team, announced by Collegiate Baseball, on May 28.
The right-hander, who completed his redshirt junior year this season, tossed four complete games – including a stretch of four straight against SBC opponents – and recorded two shutouts in 80 2/3 innings pitched. Hill finished the season with a perfect mark of 10-0 to become the first 10-game winner at USA since D.D. Hanks in 2010. He also became the first Jaguar to record 100-plus strikeouts in a season since P.J. Walters (166) in 2006. Hill was one of three starting pitchers named first-team all-region.
Billingsley led the SBC with 30 stolen bases, finished tied for second in the league in hits (80) and triples (4), tied for fourth in runs scored (46), tied for sixth in batting average (.345) and tied for eighth in walks (34). The redshirt sophomore did not commit an error in 163 chances in center field, while also recording three assists in 55 games played. The Cropwell, Ala., native was one of three outfielders named second-team all-region.
“Both Kevin and Cole had fantastic seasons for us,” head coach Mark Calvi said. “It is great to see them recognized for that. They each played a major part in our success this season in helping us accomplish one of our goals, which was to win a Sun Belt Conference championship. I am proud of the strides each of those guys have made, both on and off the field, and am happy for them to be recognized for their efforts this year. Kevin and Cole are team-first guys, and are extremely tough and competitive.”
ABCA all-region first-team selections are eligible for ABCA/Rawlings All-American honors. The ABCA/Rawlings All-Americans will be announced Sat., June 13, while the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove team will be announced Sun., June 14.
