DAHLONEGA — University of North Georgia senior Michael Gouge was named a third team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Rawlings Sporting Goods as announced earlier this week.
Gouge was solid all season for North Georgia, hitting .379 with 20 doubles, 10 home runs and 60 RBI while getting on base at a .527 lick, fifth best in Division II.
The All-American honor is his third after earning D2CCA and NCBWA honorable mention laurels adding to his long list of honors this season which includes first team All-Region selections from both the ABCA and the NCBWA as well as first team All-Conference honors from the Peach Belt Conference.
The ABCA All-America team was first recognized in 1949 and now includes nine divisions: NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, Pacific Association Division, and high school. ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams were first recognized in 2007.
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 8,000 members represent all 50 states and 25 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth.
