Cavaliers Land Three on Preseason All-America Team

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Collegiate Baseball Newspaper included Zack Gelof (Rehoboth Beach, Del.), Chris Newell (Newtown Square, Pa.) and Andrew Abbott (Republican Grove, Va.) on its preseason All-America Team presented by Diamond Sports.

Gelof was one of 10 position players listed on the first team while Newell and Abbott were members of the second and third team, respectively. The three selections to the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Preseason All-America team are the most by Virginia since 2015.

In an 18-game, shortened 2020 season, Gelof led the Atlantic Coast Conference in three categories – total bases (47), slugging percentage (.746) and runs scored (24). He has started the last 74 games at third base for the Cavaliers including all 56 as a freshman in 2019. Gelof was recognized as a Second Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper in 2020 after batting .349 (22-for-63) with six doubles, two triples, five home runs and 18 RBI.

Newell became the first Virginia baseball player ever to be named Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Freshman of the Year last Spring. The first year led the team with a .407 batting average (24-for-59) and 20 RBI and over his final 13 games, he went 23-for-48 (.479) at the plate with five doubles, a triple, four home runs and 20 RBI. Newell ranked in the top-five in the ACC in five different categories – RBI (T-2nd), on-base percentage (2nd), slugging percentage (3rd), runs (T-3rd), total bases (T-4th), stolen bases (T-5th).

Abbott has consistently been one of the most productive relief pitchers in the Atlantic Coast Conference in his three seasons as a Cavaliers. Last Spring, he struck out 28 batters (the most among any ACC reliever) in 13.1 innings pitched while holding a 1.35 ERA. His best appearance of 2020 came against William & Mary where he struck out a career-best, eight batters in 3.1 innings of relief. He was credited with one of his team-best, three wins on the season.

On Monday, Virginia was ranked 14^th in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Preseason Poll.

Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-Americans (Since 2014)
2021: Zack Gelof (1^st Team), Chris Newell (2^nd Team), Andrew Abbott (3^rd Team)
2020: None
2019: None
2018: Jake McCarthy (Second Team)
2017: Pavin Smith (2^nd Team), Adam Haseley (2^nd Team)
2016: Connor Jones (2^nd Team), Matt Thaiss (3^rd Team)
2015: Nathan Kirby (1^st Team), Brandon Waddell (2^nd Team), Joe McCarthy (2^nd Team)
2014: Mike Papi (2^nd Team), Brandon Downes (3^rd Team), Derek Fisher (3^rd Team)