Eastern Michigan Athletics
Matt Kirk Named to the 2022 ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Team
6/16/2022 4:31:00 PM | Baseball
The teams are voted on by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association
GREENSBORO, N.C. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University outfielder Matt Kirk (Milford, Ohio-Milford (Toledo)) was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/ Rawlings All-Midwest Region Second Team, the ABCA announced Wednesday, June 15.
The recognition by the ABCA is the first of Kirk's career as the outfielder continues to add to his trophy case after the Milford, Ohio native was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-MAC selection, and an All-MAC Defensive Team selection following the 2022 campaign.
In his first season in Ypsilanti, Kirk finished the 2022 regular season tied for first in the NCAA Division I ranks in total doubles (25). Additionally, Kirk had some of the best numbers in the Mid-American Conference this season. The Milford, Ohio native led the league in hits (80 - 37th nationally), doubles (25), home runs (17 - 44th nationally), and total bases (156 - 14th nationally).
Moreover, Kirk ranks top-10 in the MAC in slugging percentage (.693 - second in the MAC; 45th nationally), OPS (1.101 - second), RBIs (49 - seventh), and runs scored (50 - sixth). Furthermore, Kirk's 25 two-baggers this season tie the EMU single-season program record (Greg Ryan - 25, 1997). When it came to power at the plate, Kirk's 17 round-trippers in 2022 is tied for fourth all-time in EMU's single-season history.
A testament to his mastery at the plate, Kirk finished sixth in the league in batting average (.356) all while leading the MAC in at-bats (225). The BA mark of .356 is the best single-season batting average by an Eagle since 2014. Kirk's First Team All-MAC selection is the first of his career, along with his All-MAC Defensive Team honor. Kirk is just the second Eagle (Zachary Owings - 2018) to earn the All-MAC Defensive Team nod since the award was first given in 2015. The transfer from Toledo had just 21 combined hits and one home run in two seasons in the Glass City prior to joining the Green and White.
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 13,000 members represent all 50 states and 23 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth.
The recognition by the ABCA is the first of Kirk's career as the outfielder continues to add to his trophy case after the Milford, Ohio native was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, First Team All-MAC selection, and an All-MAC Defensive Team selection following the 2022 campaign.
In his first season in Ypsilanti, Kirk finished the 2022 regular season tied for first in the NCAA Division I ranks in total doubles (25). Additionally, Kirk had some of the best numbers in the Mid-American Conference this season. The Milford, Ohio native led the league in hits (80 - 37th nationally), doubles (25), home runs (17 - 44th nationally), and total bases (156 - 14th nationally).
Moreover, Kirk ranks top-10 in the MAC in slugging percentage (.693 - second in the MAC; 45th nationally), OPS (1.101 - second), RBIs (49 - seventh), and runs scored (50 - sixth). Furthermore, Kirk's 25 two-baggers this season tie the EMU single-season program record (Greg Ryan - 25, 1997). When it came to power at the plate, Kirk's 17 round-trippers in 2022 is tied for fourth all-time in EMU's single-season history.
A testament to his mastery at the plate, Kirk finished sixth in the league in batting average (.356) all while leading the MAC in at-bats (225). The BA mark of .356 is the best single-season batting average by an Eagle since 2014. Kirk's First Team All-MAC selection is the first of his career, along with his All-MAC Defensive Team honor. Kirk is just the second Eagle (Zachary Owings - 2018) to earn the All-MAC Defensive Team nod since the award was first given in 2015. The transfer from Toledo had just 21 combined hits and one home run in two seasons in the Glass City prior to joining the Green and White.
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 13,000 members represent all 50 states and 23 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth.
| NCAA Div. I Midwest All-Region First Team | ||||
| Pos. | Player | Cl. | School | State |
| C | Dalton Rushing | Jr. | Louisville | KY |
| 1B | Jackson Feltner | So. | Morehead State | KY |
| 2B | Mario Camilletti | Sr. | Central Michigan | MI |
| 3B | Ben Metzinger | Sr. | Louisville | KY |
| SS | Kaeber Rog | Jr. | Southern Illinois | IL |
| OF | Matt Higgins | Gr. | Bellarmine | KY |
| OF | J.T. Weber | Sr. | Southern Illinois | IL |
| OF | Ryan Cermak | So. | Illinois State | IL |
| OF | Clark Elliott | Jr. | Michigan | MI |
| DH | Jack Payton | So. | Louisville | KY |
| P | Tyler Schweitzer | Jr. | Ball State | IN |
| P | Adam Mazur | So. | Iowa | IA |
| P | John Michael Bertrand | Gr. | Notre Dame | IN |
| RP | Will Brian | Jr. | Eastern Kentucky | KY |
NCAA Div. I Midwest All-Region Second Team |
||||
| Pos. | Player | Cl. | School | State |
| C | Connor Charping | Sr. | Western Michigan | MI |
| 1B | Peyton Williams | So. | Iowa | IA |
| 2B | Richie Well | Sr. | Southern Illinois Edwardsville | IL |
| 3B | Chase Estep | Jr. | Kentucky | KY |
| SS | Mitch Jebb | So. | Michigan State | MI |
| SS | Evan Albrecht | Sr. | Purdue | IN |
| OF | Keaton Anthony | Fr. | Iowa | IA |
| OF | Brett Johnson | Jr. | Southern Illinois Edwardsville | IL |
| OF | Matt Kirk | Jr. | Eastern Michigan | MI |
| OF | Kendal Ewell | So. | Eastern Kentucky | KY |
| DH | Tito Flores | Jr. | Michigan | MI |
| P | Matt Jachec | So. | Indiana State | IN |
| P | Andrew Taylor | So. | Central Michigan | MI |
| P | Cole Kirschsieper | So. | Illinois | IL |
| RP | Tyler Guilfoil | Jr. | Kentucky | KY |
| RP | Ben Beutel | Sr. | Iowa | IA |
Players Mentioned
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