Pitt’s Leblanc, Penn State’s Anderson Named ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Players

GREENSBORO, N.C. (EYT) – Pitt’s Charles Leblanc and Penn State’s Jack Anderson were named American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division I All-Region players Wednesday.

(Photo of Jack Anderson courtesy of Penn State Athletics)

Leblanc was named a first-team shortstop while Anderson was a second-team relief pitcher.

For Lebanc, it was his second award of the day and the fourth postseason recognition the junior has received. Earlier Wednesday afternoon, Leblanc was named second-team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). In addition, he became the first Panther in program history to garner All-ACC First-Team recognition and was named a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, annually given to the top shortstop in the nation.

Take in the fourth round, 129th overall, by the Texas Rangers June 10, Leblanc captured the ACC batting title with a .409 average in 49 starts at shortstop for Pitt. He recorded 79 hits in 195 at-bats and led the team with 46 RBIs. In addition, he added nine doubles, three triples and two home runs and drew 30 walks with seven stolen bases.

A native of Laval, Quebec, he was the ACC Player of the Week on April 4 after going 11-of-17 in a mid-week battle against Kent State and a three-game road series against eventual ACC Champion Clemson. He had a six-RBI performance in a 15-5 victory over nationally-ranked Clemson en route to the weekly honor.

Anderson becomes the first ABCA All-Region selection from Penn State since Jordan Steranka was voted to the first team in 2012.

Also an All-Big Ten third team selection, Anderson was picked in the 23rd round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners with the 687th pick. He will start his pro career with the Everett Aquasox (A-Short Season).

Anderson was Penn State’s most reliable bullpen option, as he set new career standards at Penn State for saves with 25 and appearances with 98. In 165 2/3 career innings pitched, he never allowed a home run.

His senior season in 2016 was his finest. He set Penn State’s single-season record for saves with 13 to tie for the Big Ten lead and totaled a career-best 2.14 ERA in 54 2/3 innings pitched, just a third of an inning shy of being eligible to qualify amongst the league leaders for ERA. Of his 29 appearances on the year, which tied for the second-most in program history and second in the league this year, only five were for an inning or less.

Anderson was also successful in the classroom, earning Academic All-District honors (as selected by the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America) and Academic All-Big Ten honors. He graduated from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business with a degree in supply chain and information systems in May.

The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 8,200 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 73rd annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 5-8, 2017 in Anaheim, California.

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