Sam Houston senior catcher Anthony Azar has been named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Central All-Region first team. The Bearkat backstop was a second-team member last season.

Azar finished the season among the Southland’s top-five players in seven different categories, including leading the league in total bases (127). The senior from the Woodlands also ranks second in hits (86), RBI (47) and slugging percentage (.543), third in batting average (.368) and home runs (nine) and fourth in on-base percentage (.450).

The Southland Player of the Year was one of the toughest hitters to strike out in the nation, going down only 17 times in 234 at bats and drawing 27 walks. Azar has thrown out 21 attempted base-stealers on the year, which leads the league.

He managed the Bearkat pitching staff that had a 2.73 team ERA, which ranks in the top 20 nationally. He was also Sam Houston’s first semifinalist for the Johnny Bench Award, which goes to the nation’s top catcher.

First-team selections will be considered as candidates for the ABCA All-America, which will be announced later this month.

FIRST TEAM

SECOND TEAM