Bates, Mack named first team All-Region by ABCA/Rawlings

Louisiana Tech’s Ethan Bates and Grambling State’s Keylon Mack collected another postseason honor Tuesday as the junior relief pitcher was named ABCA/ Rawlings NCAA Division I First Team All-Region.

The 2023 teams, comprised of eight regions, are voted on by Members of the American Baseball Coaches Association vote on the 2023 teams, comprised of eight regions.

The process is led by the ABCA Division I All-America committee. Bates, who has also been named Third Team All-America and a two-time All-Conference USA pitcher, was stellar on the mound in his first season with the Bulldogs.

The right- hander posted a team-best ERA of 3.02 with 25 appearances on the bump in relief. He registered a 4-3 overall record while throwing 44 2/3 innings with 57 strikeouts. He tallied 10 saves, third most in C-USA and tied for the second most in a single season in program history.

His first appearance as a Bulldog came against BYU on Feb. 20, collecting the victory after striking out a season-high five batters in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Arguably his best outing came in the 16-inning marathon win at Florida Atlantic on May 13 when he threw a season-high 5 innings of scoreless baseball while allowing just two hits and striking out four.

Mack, Grambling State’s regular first baseman, was one of the best hitters for the Tigers this season with a .350 batting average, 59 RBIs, and .697 slugging percentage.

His 16 home runs ranked second in the SWAC to go with 45 walks ( 3rd best in the SWAC). First Team All-Region selections are nominated for ABCA/Rawlings All-America honors. The ABCA/ Rawlings NCAA Div. I All-America teams will be announced the morning of Friday, June 16 prior to the start of the 2023 NCAA Division I College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.