Villecco, Cole, Kuryan Named to Region II ABCA Division III All Defensive Team

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 22, 2023) – The Western New England baseball team rounded out their postseason awards on Thursday afternoon after the American Baseball Coaches Association named the Division III All-Defensive Team, seeing three Golden Bears being named to that list. 

Senior Paul Villecco dotted a .961 fielding percentage for Western New England on the season, collecting 76 solo putouts and 98 assists, good for 181 total chances on the season. Villecco played in all 42 games this season for Western New England, committing just seven errors in the field while turning 24 double plays. 

Junior outfielder Aaron Cole picks up an All-Defensive Team nod for the Golden Bears after collecting 100 putouts in the field without making an error for WNE. Cole collected 106 total putouts on the year, playing in all 42 games. Cole grabbed 100 solo putouts and six assists while helping Western New England turn one double play on the season, dotting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Cole was one of two mainstays in the outfield to collect a 1.000 fielding percentage on the year.

Starting Pitcher Jared Kuryan made six putouts off the mound while also collecting ten assists on the year, marking a perfect 1.000 field percentage on the season. Kuryan made 12 appearances for the Golden Bears on the rubber this season while making eight starts, dotting a 3-1 record while recording a save. Kuryan led all Western New England pitchers with 16 total putouts on the season. 

About the ABCA
Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 40 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.