NSU Sharks News

Martinez and Fiers Tabbed ABCA/Rawlings 3rd Team All-Americans

Sharks Have Two All-Americans In A Single Season For First Time In Program History

athletic pic FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May. 26, 2009)  Nova Southeastern University baseball left fielder J.D. Martinez and pitcher Michael Fiers were named on the ABCA/Rawlings All-America Baseball third team; it was announced on Tuesday afternoon.

The third team ABCA/Rawlings All-America accolade marks the second All-America team Martinez (Jr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) has been named to this off-season. In addition to the Daktronics All-America 2nd team honor, Martinez has also earned 2nd team All-SSC, 1st Team ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region and 1st team DAKTRONICS All-South Region honors.

He had one of the best single seasons at the plate in NSU Baseball history, batting .428 with 15 home runs and 57 runs batted in. He set a single season program record in runs scored (73) while placing second in batting average. He landed in the top ten in slugging percentage (.770), hits (80), home runs (15), RBI's (57), total bases (144) and walks (41). He set the NSU career home run record on April 17th vs. Barry University by hitting his 31st home run of his career.

Fiers had already been named 2nd team All-SSC, 1st team ABCA/Rawlings All-South Region and 2nd team DAKTRONICS All-South for his season. He was 10-3 on the mound with a 2.65 earned run average in 108.2 innings pitched and led the nation (setting a new NSU single season record) with 145 strikeouts on the season. He compiled three shutouts while holding opposing batters to a .209 batting average. Fiers pitched at least six innings with allowing two runs or less in nine starts in 2009.

Since joining the NCAA Division II in 2002 , Nova Southeastern has had five previous baseball All-America selections. Martinez and Fiers join first baseman Bryan Cook (2008), centerfielder Matt Mindick (2007) and pitchers Kyle Ruwe (2003-Second Team All-American), Derek Antelo (2005-First Team All-American) and Antony Bello (2006-Third Team All-American).

The Sharks set a new program record with 37 NCAA victories in one season in 2009 and concluded the season 37-19.