Sullivan, McCormack, Rios Land Top Honors for DII Baseball

The 2025 Division II All-Region Baseball teams were released Thursday, showcasing the top performers from across the ICCAC. Southeastern, the 2025 Region 11 regular season champions, led the way with five First Team selections, while the season's top individual awards were split among three programs.

Cal Sullivan of Kirkwood was named the ICCAC Player of the Year following an outstanding offensive campaign. Sullivan led the conference with a staggering .438 batting average, ranking 13th nationally, and proved to be one of the most productive hitters in the NJCAA. He led the nation in doubles (33), was second in total bases (166), and ranked third in hits (92). His offensive dominance continued with 72 runs scored, placing him in the NJCAA's top ten.

In 33 league games, Sullivan led the ICCAC in hits (56), doubles (23), and average (.455) and was top five in RBI (47) walks (26), on-base percentage (.561) and slugging (.837).

The Pitcher of the Year honor went to Chris McCormack of Iowa Central, who emerged as the top arm in the conference. McCormack posted a 2.37 ERA over 57 innings, the lowest in the ICCAC and 21st best in the nation. He struck out 71 batters, allowed just 15 earned runs, and finished the year with a WHIP of 0.89, making him a reliable force on the mound for the Tritons. 

In ICCAC play alone he went 4-0 in eight appearances with two saves. In 36 innings he held a 2.25 ERA allowing just nine earned runs and striking out 48.

Southeastern's Abrahan Rios earned Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring the Blackhawks in the field with an elite .995 fielding percentage. Rios committed only two errors in 52 games and just one during Southeastern's 33-game conference slate. He also recorded 228 outs in conference play, the second-most in the ICCAC, showing both range and reliability.

The Coach of the Year award went to Justin Schulte, who led Southeastern to its second-straight ICCAC regular season title with a dominant 29-4 conference record. Under Schulte's guidance, the Blackhawks climbed as high as No. 3 nationally and currently sit at No. 6, all but ensuring an at-large NJCAA World Series bid with their 48-13 overall record. A bid would make it three straight World Series apperances for the Blackhawks.

Southeastern's First Team All-Region selections were Keaton Fenn (SP), Owen Thomson (RP), Zach Moorman (RP), Michael Farina (INF), and Jackson Petsche (OF), each playing a crucial role in the team's historic season.

Kirkwood's Cal Sullivan was joined on the First Team by teammates Boede Rahe (SP) and Jaxon Schumacher (OF) rounding out a formidable trio of Eagles contributors.

Joining Pitcher of the Year McCormack from Iowa Central were the 2024 Player of the Year Cooper Nicholson (INF) and Chayton Fischer (UTL), giving the Tritons three total First Team honorees.

Ellsworth also earned three First Team spots, led by Caden Sammler (C), Brock Adamson (SP), and Boston Doeschot (DH).

Northeast placed three players on the First Team as well: Carter Noakes (INF), Hayden Parrish (UTL), and Brady Fitzpatrick (OF), while DMACC was represented by Kaden Frommelt (UTL), who capped off a strong individual campaign with all-region recognition.