MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama baseball left-handed pitcher Kyle Bartsch and first baseman Jordan Patterson were recently named second-team South Central all-Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Bartsch, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft last week, finished his career as the all-time saves leader at USA with 22. This past season he tied Mike Nakamura for the most saves in a single season with 12. The southpaw went 3-0 with a 3.12 ERA in 22 appearances, and was named second-team all-Sun Belt Conference. He struck out 35 batters and issued just 11 walks, and limited the opposition to a .189 batting average. Bartsch ranked second in the league in saves this season, and is the first Jaguar to record 10 or more saves in consecutive seasons. He is the first USA pitcher to earn all-region honors since Lance Baxter in 2010.
Patterson, the 2013 SBC Player of the Year and first-team all-SBC selection as a utility player, led the SBC with a .485 on-base percentage, and ranked sixth in the league with a .352 batting average. He tied for the league lead in doubles (25), ranked second in runs scored (69) and fifth in hits (82). Patterson was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of this year’s MLB Draft. He was the 109th overall selection, which is the highest a Jaguar has been taken in the draft since the Toronto Blue Jays selected Adam Lind in the third round in 2004. Patterson is the first Jaguar first baseman to earn all-region honors since Jeff Cunningham in 2007.
Bartsch and Patterson helped lead USA to a 43-20 record, and helped the Jags clinch their league-best 14th Sun Belt Conference title. South Alabama also earned its first NCAA Regional appearance – and 25th all-time – since the 2006 season.
“This is a great honor for Kyle (Bartsch) and Jordan (Patterson),” head coach Mark Calvi said. “They both put together remarkable seasons, and were great teammates and leaders. They set a great example for the younger guys in the program, both on and off the field. It is a special honor to be recognized by the coaches in our region, and I couldn’t be happier for them.”
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
—USA—
2013 ABCA South Central all-Region Team
First Team
SP Austin Kubitza, Rice
SP Caleb McClanahan, Central Arkansas
SP T.J. Renda, Alabama State
RP Zech Lemond, Rice
C Aramis Garcia, Florida International
1B Ryan Huck, Western Kentucky
2B VJ Bunner, Lamar
3B Logan Pierce, Troy
SS Hunter Dozier, Stephen F. Austin
DH Caleb Adams, Louisiana-Lafayette
OF Forrestt Allday, Central Arkansas
OF Dex Kjerstad, Louisiana-Lafayette
OF Danny Collins, Troy
Second Team
SP Sam Street, Texas Pan-American
SP Austin Robichaux, Louisiana-Lafayette
SP Austin Pruitt, Houston
RP Kyle Bartsch, South Alabama
RP Hugh Adams, Florida Atlantic
C Anthony Azar, Sam Houston State
1B Jordan Patterson, South Alabama
2B Brendon Sanger, Florida Atlantic
3B Tyler Girouard, Louisiana-Lafayette
SS Tyler Vaughn, Troy
DH Matt Shortall, Texas-Arlington
OF Darian Johnson, Lamar
OF Charles Tilery, Jackson State
OF Waldyvan Estrada, Alabama State
