EASTLAKE, Ohio -- Two Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) baseball student-athletes have been named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-American Team it was announced on Thursday. Full Release
McMurry University’s Michael Smosna and Concordia University (Texas) Otto Franz were among the 75 athletes selected. Smosna collected Second-Team honors, while Franz earned Fourth-Team accolades.
This marks the second time in the last three years and third time since 2018 the SCAC has earned multiple ABCA/Rawlings All-American nods.
Smosna, a junior catcher from Lubbock, Teas, was instrumental in leading McMurry to the program’s fifth NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2008. A First Team All-SCAC honoree, currently leads the SCAC in hits (79) and total bases (135) and sits second in doubles (18), triples (7) and batting average (.439). His 58 RBI on the year was good enough for fourth in the SCAC, while his eight home runs were ranked eighth in the league.
Earlier this week, Smosna was named to the ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region 10 as well as First Team All-Region 10 honors from D3Baseball.com.
Franz, a graduate-student and SCAC Pitcher of the Year from Austin, Texas put together an outstanding season in leading the Tornados to their second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance and eighth in program history. He led the SCAC in wins (9), innings pitched (95.2), shutouts (2) and WHIP (1.10). His 95.2 innings pitched are the most in a single SCAC season since 2018 when TLU’s Dylan Drgac tossed 121.1 innings. Franz also finished the season fourth in strikeouts (67) and second in complete games with three.
Additionally, Franz was named Region 10 Pitcher of the Year by both the ABCA and D3Baseball.com publications and was selected First Team All-Region as well.
The ABCA/Rawlings All-America teams are selected by members of the ABCA All-America committees. ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team selections, which were announced Tuesday, were eligible for All-America honors.
The Chair of the ABCA NCAA Div. III All-America & Coach of the Year Committee is Paul Hesse of the University of Mount Union. Also on the committee are Brian Casey (U.S. Coast Guard Academy), Pete Egbert (Misericordia University), Dan Gomez (Western New England University), Ray Hedrick (Randolph-Macon College), Luke Johnson (North Park University), Scott Laverty (Chapman University), Yogi Lutz (Alvernia University), Nick Pontari (Russell Sage College) and Kevin Tomasiewicz (University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh).
The 2025 ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams for all divisions will be announced on Wednesday, June 18. The ABCA NCAA Div. III Region All-Defensive teams will be announced on Thursday, June 19.
ABCA/Rawlings National Pitchers and Position Players of the Year for all divisions will be announced on Monday, June 23.
The ABCA All-America team was first recognized in 1949 and now includes nine divisions: NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, Pacific Association Division, and high school. ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams were first recognized in 2007.
