Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics
Three Cardinals Garner ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Recognition
June 15, 2022 | Baseball
Ben Metzinger, Jack Payton and Dalton Rushing were all named First Team All-Region.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville baseball program had three student-athletes recognized on Wednesday as the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I All-Regional Teams were announced.
Ben Metzinger, Jack Payton and Dalton Rushing were all named to the Midwest All-Region First Team. Louisville is up to 35 All-Region selections since Dan McDonnell's arrival in 2007, 26 of which have been First Team honorees.
Metzinger wrapped up his fourth season in a Louisville uniform this spring, hitting .312 with 19 home runs and a team-best 69 RBIs. A team captain, Metzinger earned All-ACC honors and ranks top-40 nationally in home runs, RBIs, total bases and walks, with his 51 walks ranking 10th all-time in a single season at Louisville.
Payton moved into a starting role in his sophomore season with the Cardinals, starting 62 of Louisville's 64 games at catcher or designated hitter. An All-ACC selection, Payton finished the year with a .350 batting average, 23 doubles and 89 hits, all of which were team highs. His 23 doubles tied for the ACC lead and are tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
Rushing took on a full-time starting role this spring as well and served as a key fixture in the middle of a potent Louisville lineup. The junior All-Conference selection hit .310 with a team high 23 home runs and drove in 62. Rushing was the first UofL player to hit 20 home runs since 2017 and finished the year with the fourth-most homers in a season by a Louisville player. Rushing ranks top 25 nationally in home runs, walks and hit by pitch, and top 50 in total bases, slugging percentage and runs scored.
The trio helped the Cardinals to a 42-21-1 overall record in 2022, capturing the program's fifth ACC Atlantic Division title in seven full seasons as members of the league. Louisville earned its 14th NCAA Tournament berth and won the NCAA Louisville Regional to secure the program's ninth Super Regional appearance.
ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team selections are nominated for ABCA/Rawlings All-America honors. The ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. I All-America Teams will be announced the morning of Friday, June 17 prior to the start of the 2022 NCAA Div. I College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Ben Metzinger, Jack Payton and Dalton Rushing were all named to the Midwest All-Region First Team. Louisville is up to 35 All-Region selections since Dan McDonnell's arrival in 2007, 26 of which have been First Team honorees.
Metzinger wrapped up his fourth season in a Louisville uniform this spring, hitting .312 with 19 home runs and a team-best 69 RBIs. A team captain, Metzinger earned All-ACC honors and ranks top-40 nationally in home runs, RBIs, total bases and walks, with his 51 walks ranking 10th all-time in a single season at Louisville.
Payton moved into a starting role in his sophomore season with the Cardinals, starting 62 of Louisville's 64 games at catcher or designated hitter. An All-ACC selection, Payton finished the year with a .350 batting average, 23 doubles and 89 hits, all of which were team highs. His 23 doubles tied for the ACC lead and are tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
Rushing took on a full-time starting role this spring as well and served as a key fixture in the middle of a potent Louisville lineup. The junior All-Conference selection hit .310 with a team high 23 home runs and drove in 62. Rushing was the first UofL player to hit 20 home runs since 2017 and finished the year with the fourth-most homers in a season by a Louisville player. Rushing ranks top 25 nationally in home runs, walks and hit by pitch, and top 50 in total bases, slugging percentage and runs scored.
The trio helped the Cardinals to a 42-21-1 overall record in 2022, capturing the program's fifth ACC Atlantic Division title in seven full seasons as members of the league. Louisville earned its 14th NCAA Tournament berth and won the NCAA Louisville Regional to secure the program's ninth Super Regional appearance.
ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team selections are nominated for ABCA/Rawlings All-America honors. The ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. I All-America Teams will be announced the morning of Friday, June 17 prior to the start of the 2022 NCAA Div. I College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
FOLLOW LOUISVILLE BASEBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can follow Louisville baseball on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram at @LouisvilleBSB.
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