Allen Tokarz Named ABCA All-South Region Selection After Stellar 2014 Season

Demorest, GA - Piedmont College baseball player Allen Tokarz was named an All-South Region pick earlier this weekend when the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) released its honors listings. The Piedmont pitcher was one of the gems on the diamond for the Lions' pitching staff in 2014 posting the second lowest ERA in the entire USA South Athletic Conference. <br /> <br /> "The beauty of Allen Tokarz on our pitching staff is his versatility," said Piedmont Head Baseball Coach Jim Peeples. "He's probably got the toughest job of any of our guys because he knows that he's going to be our guy to get us out of any trouble we may get in. It could be a save situation, could be early, but he's one of the most effective pitchers we've had in any situation over my years here at Piedmont, and the numbers pretty much back that up." <br /> <br /> Tokarz led the league along with teammate Josh Thomas with his 20 appearances in 2014 posting a 1.65 ERA over 43 and two thirds. The sophomore from Snellville had the best ERA on the squad not allowing an earned run over his first nine appearances this season, a span in which he gave up only 10 hits in just over 20 innings pitched.<br /> <br /> A graduate of Brookwood High School, Tokarz was ranked 2nd in the league in ERA as well while also posting a top ten mark in strikeouts per game fanning just under seven per. <br /> <br /> Known for his stellar pitching in long relief situations, Tokarz posted a 5-1 record and was also big in clutch situations collecting three saves on the year, a top five mark in the USA South. <br /> <br /> "Allen has really been different that any of the great relievers that we've had here over the years," said Coach Peeples of his sophomore pitcher. "He can come in at any point in the ball game, and his ability to get you through a game whether it be coming in the 3rd or 4th inning, or to come in late in the game and get a save, that makes him a bit of a secret weapon for us. I'm glad he's been rewarded for the season that he had for us this year."<br /> <br /> Tokarz returns for a junior season in 2015 on a team poised for a breakout season as almost all of the Lions pitching staff from 2014 returns after a season in which Piedmont led the league in team ERA with a 3.47 mark. Additionally, five of PC's everyday position players were sophomores or freshmen in 2014 adding to the rising expectations for a young Green and Gold that gave the USA South a run this season finishing two games back of conference winner Covenant College. <br /> <br /> Since the organization's first meeting at the New York Athletic Club in June of 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association now has approximately 6,600 members from all 50 states and 23 different countries. Today, the ABCA continues to recognize the nation's best collegiate baseball players with its All-Region and All-American teams released on an annual basis.