AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina Aiken baseball standouts Joseph Benitez and Mitchell Price have been named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II all-region team.

Benitez was a first-team honoree while Price garnered second-team accolades.

Benitez, a native of Crofton, Md., was the PBC Pitcher of the Year. He set the single-season school record for strikeouts with 135 and tied the school record for wins with 11. Benitez led the PBC in both categories as well as innings pitched (116.1). Benitez finished second nationally in strikeouts and was 17^th in strikeouts-to-walk ratio. He was tabbed a NCBWA All-American and has picked up all-region honors from the NCBWA, D2CCA and ABCA.

Price, a native of Columbia, S.C., had a tremendous season. He led the team in round-trippers (14), doubles (16), triples (6) and RBI (59). Price accounted for 141 total bases and slugged .653. He also stole a team-best 17 bases. He was in the top 10 of the PBC in all of the aforementioned categories as well as walks. Price picked up all-region honors from the NCBWA, D2CCA and ABCA.

ABCA/Rawlings All-Region first-team selections are nominated for ABCA/Rawlings All-America honors. The ABCA/Rawlings All-Americans will be announced on Tuesday, May 30. The ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team will be announced on Wednesday, June 21.
 
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 more than 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. The 74th annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 4-7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana.