May 29, 2012
CARY, N.C. – Currently in the race for the National Championship, the news for the Rattlers keeps getting better.
St. Mary’s is represented, highly, in the 2012 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-America Team with star pitcher Carl O’Neal (Jr., San Antonio) making the cut for All-America First Team and head coach Charlie Migl being honored as the NCBWA’s National Coach of the Year.
O’Neal made his first national appearance Tuesday in a victory over Indianapolis University to remain undefeated on the season with a 14-0 record, while also picking up his 100th strikeout on the year.
Just as casual as wins have become for O’Neal, the honors for his work on the mound have as well. In addition to his most recent accomplishment as NCBWA’s All-America First Team selection, O’Neal was named the 2012 Daktronics National Pitcher of the Year, the 2012 ABCA Regional Pitcher of the Year and the Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Year. O’Neal’s first year as the Rattlers’ No. 1 ace has proven effective in a season that is not quite over as the national tournament continues with St. Mary’s (49-10) playing Catawba in an elimination game at 6 p.m. (CDT) Wednesday night in Cary, N.C.
Behind the decorated pitcher that O’Neal has become this season as well as the entire Rattler bench that has claimed the Heartland Conference championship, the South Central Regional championship and is now fighting for a national title for the second time in the program’s history is simply a great coach. Taking his team to the national tournament this season is Migl’s second time in the NCAA Division II fight with his last appearance in 2001, turning the program’s sole national title. Migl’s abilities to flex a talented team have earned him this year’s NCBWA Coach of the Year honor. Migl has also been recognized by the ABCA and the Heartland Conference, who named him at the top of coaching craft with their own respective South Central Regional Coach of the Year awards.
St. Mary’s continues its way into history in the third round of the national tournament at 6 p.m. Wednesday against Catawba at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.