CORPUS CHRISTI - Graduated senior outfielder Matt Holland has been named a 2011 American Baseball
Coaches Association Third Team All-American, the organization
announced today. It is the second All-America recognition for
Holland this year, as he was also honored by Collegiate
Baseball Newspaper.
"Regardless of these awards, we knew how amazing a season Matt
Holland had for our team," Head Coach Scott Malone said. "That said, it's always great for
him to be recognized, particularly by my peers who had to coach
against him. Matt deserves every award that he receives for his
performance this past year."
Holland, who also was named First Team All-South Central Region,
was one of three Southland players to earn All-America status from
the ABCA, joining Stephen F. Austin's Bryson Myles (Second Team)
and Texas State's Casey Kalenkosky (Third Team). Holland is the
second player in Islanders lore to have earned All-America laurels
from the ABCA, joining Humberto Aguilar, who was honored in
2003.
The Watkins, Iowa, native was drafted in the 22nd
round by Philadelphia, and began his professional career this week
after signing with the Phillies. He reported to the Gulf Coast
League, where he is on the roster with the GCL Phillies, who opened
their season yesterday.
Just two years removed from an arm injury that ended his career
as a pitcher, Holland worked hard in the weight room to bulk up to
210 pounds heading into his senior season, and the results were
palpable. The lefty slugged 10 home runs, the eighth different
player in school history to do so, and matched the school record
with 20 doubles. His 149 total bases set a new school mark as
well.
A First Team All-Southland Conference honoree, Holland was
second in the league with his .391 average and 93 hits, while his
53 RBI were sixth in the conference. His .626 slugging percentage
was the second highest of all Southland players and he finished
seventh in the league with a .445 on-base percentage. He also
scored 44 runs, stole seven bases, and posted a 16-game hitting
streak at the end of the season.
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi set school records for wins (37)
and Southland Conference wins (19) in advancing to the final day of
the SLC Tournament for the first time. The Islanders concluded the
year having won 15 of their final 18 contests, and were over .500
from start to finish in the 2011 campaign.
