2016 ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Teams

GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of South Alabama baseball right-handed pitcher Kevin Hill and outfielder Cole Billingsley were each named All-South Central District by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings on Wednesday.

Hill was named first-team all-region for the second consecutive year, while Billingsley earned second-team all-region honors for the second straight season.

Hill was also named a third-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Wednesday, which marked his second All-America selection following first-team honors from Collegiate Baseball earlier this month. He (8-2) became the first player in Sun Belt Conference history to twice earn the league's Pitcher of the Year award after earning the honor for the second consecutive season this year. Hill was also a first-team all-SBC selection after leading the conference in strikeouts (126) for the second straight season, while also leading the league in innings pitched (122.2). In addition, he was named the SBC Male Student-Athlete of the Year.

Hill tossed four complete games this season while also combining for one shutout, and closed his Jaguar career ranked fourth on the school's all-time list in career strikeouts (326). He was selected by the Houston Astros in the 25th round of the 2016 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft last weekend.

Billingsley, who just completed his redshirt junior season at USA, led the SBC in stolen bases (31) for the second consecutive season, and also led the league in sacrifice flies (8). He was a first-team all-SBC selection, and led South Alabama with 20 multiple-hit games. He was selected in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles.

Hill and Billingsley are the first Jaguars to earn all-region honors in consecutive seasons since Ryan Mulhern (2001-03).

"Kevin and Cole each had great seasons," USA head coach Mark Calvi said. "They were two of our leaders in the clubhouse, and obviously had a lot to do with our success this year. Although they are being recognized for their individual achievements, which is always nice, Kevin Hill and Cole Billingsley are two of the biggest team guys I have ever had the opportunity to coach. They both work extremely hard and are totally committed to success on and off the field, and we couldn't be happier for them."

ABCA/Rawlings all-region first-team selections are nominated for ABCA/Rawlings All-America honors, which will be announced on Sat., June 18, followed by the announcement of the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team on Sun., June 19.

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