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BOCA RATON – Conference USA named FAU shortstop Tyler Frank its Defensive Player of the Year and added three more Owls to its All-Conference USA team on Tuesday, one day before the start of the Conference USA tournament.
Frank consistently showed range, a strong arm and a good understanding of situational play at shortstop the last two years for FAU, though did at times struggle with routine plays. His 13 errors this season are seventh most among C-USA players.
A versatile athlete, Frank converted from shortstop to catcher his freshman season after Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma caused starter Kevin Abraham to miss the season.
With playing time limited at shortstop that season by the presence of C.J. Chatham, now in the boston Red Sox organization, Frank made the move and performed well, helping to lead the Owls to an NCAA tournament appearance.
As good as Frank is with the glove, he’s even more potent with the bat. He’s currently hitting .318 with 11 homers and 29 RBI after spending most of the season as the Owls’ lead-off hitter. C-USA named Southern Miss third baseman Luke Reynolds its Player of the Year. Fellow Golden Eagle Nick Sadlin claimed Pitcher of the Year honors.
Frank is expected to be selected as early as the second round in next week’s MLB draft.
Pitchers Jake Miednik and Zach Schneider, along with outfielder David Miranda, joined Frank as All-Conference USA selections. FAU’s Friday night starter, Miednik posted a 7-1 record with a 3.06 ERA in 12 appearances – 11 starts – this season. He missed three starts near the end of the season with shoulder tendinitis but started the opening game of Owls’ final series of the season, an FAU victory over Western Kentucky, and has been tabbed as the Owls starter for Wednesday’s C-USA tournament opener against FIU.
Schneider’s 13 saves are four more than anyone else in C-USA. He’s posted a 5-1 record with a 2.01 ERA.
Miranda’s .319 average and 42 RBI leads the Owls, and his nine homers are third most on the team.
Reliever Drew Peden, who actually led all FAU pitchers with eight wins, earned second team all-conference honors.
Voting was done by a panel consisting of each head coach, each team’s media relations director and a media representative from each city.
First pitch for No. 3 seed FAU’s C-USA tournament opener against No. 6 seed FIU is scheduled for 10 a.m.
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