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Hultzen, Kline, Hicks Named ABCA All-Americans
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia’s Danny Hultzen (Jr., Bethesda, Md.), Branden Kline (So., Frederick, Md.) and John Hicks (Jr., Sandy Hook, Va.) each were named to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-America Team Wednesday. Hultzen was named to the first team, while Kline earned second-team honors and Hicks picked up third-team honors.
Hultzen, Kline and Hicks also were members of the ABCA All-Atlantic Region First Team. Will Roberts (Jr., Richmond, Va.) was a second-team all-region honoree.
Hultzen was named to the team as a starting pitcher. The first three-time All-American in Virginia history, Hultzen is 12-3 this year with a 1.41 ERA, which is sixth lowest in Division I. He also has struck out 157 batters, which ranks second among all Division I pitchers. He has become Virginia’s all-time career leader in wins (32) and strikeouts (387) this season and also is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award.
Hultzen was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year for the second year in a row and was the second pick in the MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners this year. In 115 innings this season, Hultzen has allowed 26 runs (18 earned), 75 hits and 23 walks. Batters are hitting just .187 against him.
Kline is 4-1 with a 2.13 ERA and 18 saves this year. He has tied the ACC and school single-season records for saves. In 38 innings, he has allowed nine earned runs, 27 hits and 18 walks while striking out 49. Batters are hitting .211 against him. He also was a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award.
Hicks is the first catcher in Virginia history to earn All-America honors. A first-team All-ACC honoree, Hicks is batting .337 with a team-high 90 hits this season. He has played in all 66 games and is tied for the team lead in home runs (8) and RBI (59). Hicks also has thrown out 43 percent of potential basestealers (15-of-35). He also was a semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award.
Roberts is 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA this year. He ranks 11th nationally in ERA and 14th in wins. In 105.2 innings, he has allowed 21 earned runs, 80 hits and just 14 walks while striking out 93 as batters are hitting .216 against him. Roberts also was a fifth-round draft choice of the Cleveland Indians. He was a semifinalist for the National Pitcher of the Year Award, which is presented by the College Baseball Hall of Fame.