Five Crusaders balloted to 2014 @SCAC_Sports Baseball 'First Team'

SAN ANTONIO - Five University of Dallas student-athletes -- Mark Carlson, Martin Cronin, Trevor Keele, Nolan Kipp and Alex Thornton -- have been named by the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) to the 2014 All-SCAC Baseball First Team.

Following three seasons (2012-14) of competition in the league, Dallas has produced 12 All-SCAC baseball first-team selections. This is the second-consecutive season in which the navy and white have had five first-team honorees. Head coach Fraser Holmes has helped the Crusaders reserve a total of 17 spots on All-SCAC baseball teams.

The 2014 accolades come after a 17-22 (7-11 SCAC) regular-season by Dallas. 

Carlson (Hawthorn Woods, Ill.), a 6-foot-1 senior, started 39-of-39 games played. The four-year letterwinner was one of two second basemen elicited to the first team. He was previously named to the 2013 All-SCAC Baseball First Team. Carlson's nine triples in his final campaign not only finished tied for the single-season school record, but led the SCAC and all of NCAA Division III. His other top-10 offensive statistical rankings include a .553 slugging percentage (third), 40 runs (third), a .452 on-base percentage (fourth), 78 total bases (fourth), 51 hits (fourth), a .362 batting average (fifth) and 15 stolen bases (sixth). Defensively, Carlson had 94 assists (eighth).

Cronin (The Woodlands, Texas), a 6-foot-4 junior, started 12 games in 2014. The three-year letterwinner was one of eight pitchers to receive the first-team nod. Last season, he was named to the honorable mention team. Cronin's 77 innings pitched was second-most in the SCAC. He also had six wins (third), a 3.16 earned run average (seventh) and 39 strikeouts (ninth). Cronin's command on the hill rendered just three losses.

Keele (Edgewood, Texas), a 6-foot-1 junior, started 39-of-39 games played. The two-year letterwinner was one of two first basemen to garner first-team honors. Keele was also selected to the 2013 All-SCAC Baseball First Team. The 2014 SCAC Baseball Offensive-Player-of-the-Year led the conference with a .400 batting average, 54 hits and 46 runs batted in (RBI). His other top-10 offensive statistical rankings include a .456 on-base percentage (third), 70 total bases (fourth), three triples (fourth), a .519 slugging percentage (sixth) and seven doubles (ninth). Also a right-handed pitcher, Keele went 2-2 on the season in 11 appearances. He posted a 4.32 earned run average and had four saves.

Kipp (Folsom, Calif.), a 5-foot-9 junior, started 14-of-19 games played. The two-year letterwinner was one of three designated hitters to comprise the first team. This is his first postseason award. Kipp had 16 hits and a .320 batting average on the 2014 season. He boasted a .414 on-base percentage, 16 total bases and seven walks. Kipp also scored nine runs and produced five RBI.

Thornton (Fort Worth, Texas), a 6-foot-1 senior, started 39-of-39 games played. The three-year letterwinner was one of nine outfielders selected to the first team. Thornton was also designated to the 2013 All-SCAC Baseball First Team. His 31 walks led the SCAC in 2014, while four triples ended-up second. Thornton's other top-10 offensive statistical rankings include 34 runs (fifth), eight doubles (fifth), two home runs (seventh), 27 RBI (eighth) and four sacrifice flies (eighth).

Click here to view the SCAC's full release and a complete list of the 2014 All-SCAC teams.

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