May 17, 2012
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – St. Mary’s ace Carl O’Neal has headlined another All-Region list, this time being named the 2012 Daktronics All-South Central Region Pitcher of the Year, it was announced Thursday morning.
Joining O’Neal on the All-Region First Team was fellow Rattler pitcher Rene Solis, catcher M.P. Cokinos and centerfielder Billy Richard. Closer Jonathan Perez made the Second Team.
O’Neal (Jr., San Antonio), who also was named the NCBWA South Central Region Pitcher of the Year, is 12-0 on the season with a 1.86 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 14 starts. His award-winning season has also included Heartland Conference Pitcher of the Year honors.
Solis (So., San Antonio) has been just as good for the Rattlers (44-8), posting a 12-2 record to go along-with a team-high 99 strikeouts and a 1.50 ERA, which leads all St. Mary’s starting pitchers. Solis, in his first year as a starter, joined O’Neal on the NCBWA All-Region First Team.
For Cokinos (Jr., Houston), he wasted no time in proving himself as one of the region’s premier players after transferring to St. Mary’s from the University of Houston, batting .321 with 49 RBIs this season while dominating behind the plate defensively. He committed just a single error all season, including none in Heartland Conference play.
Richard (Jr., Schertz, Texas), meanwhile, has shined in his second year as a Rattler, pounding a team-high eight home runs, 32 RBIs, a team-leading .366 batting average and a Heartland Conference-best 59 runs scored from the leadoff spot. He also was a NCBWA All-Region First Team selection.
Perez (Jr., San Antonio) is tied for the nation lead in saves with 16 and carries a 0.64 ERA on the season, having given up just two runs all year. He has 28 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched.
The Rattlers, currently ranked No. 2 in the nation, play Texas A&M-Kingsville in today’s opening round of the South Central Regional in Warrensburg, Mo.