New Paltz, NY — The American Baseball Coaches Association announced its 2025 All-Defensive Team selections Thursday with senior outfielder Michael Ascanio making program history as he earned a spot on the prestigious list for the second consecutive year.
 
Ascanio, since transferring to the Hawks as an incoming sophomore in 2023, became a staple in the program. In his three years, he established himself as the best defensive player to suit up for SUNY New Paltz as he was honored with his second straight All-Region III Defensive selection — the only player in program history to do so. He adds the accolade to a decorated list of accomplishments, which included his second trip to the All-SUNYAC and All-Region teams, along with breaking program records in single season RBI and the longest hitting streak in Hawks history, going 27-straight games while batting in the heart of SUNY New Paltz's lineup.
 
The Armonk, NY native garners his second straight All-Defensive Team pick after putting up career numbers both offensively and defensively. In 38 games played, Ascanio batted .342 with an OPS of .990, slugging percentage of .564 and on base percentage of .426 with 31 runs, 51 hits, 19 extra base hits and a team-leading six home runs with 84 total bases and 16 steals. Proving himself once again as one of the best two-way players in the country, Ascanio finished with .991 fielding average manning centerfield duties for the Hawks on 109 chances, ranking ninth best in single season program history, as he also added 105 putouts and three assists.
 
Ascanio was joined on the All-Region III Defensive Team list alongside fellow SUNYAC counterparts, Nolan Smith of SUNY Cortland (first base), Joey Dwyer of Oneonta (outfield) and Chris Bonacci of Cortland (outfield).
 
The ABCA NCAA Division III Region All-Defensive teams were voted on by a committee of Division III head coaches. Players selected were eligible for ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove honors.
 
To view the full ABCA press release, click here.
 

******************
To stay up to date with everything #NPHawks be sure to follow us on Twitter at @nphawks, Instagram and Facebook at @newpaltzhawks, and subscribe to our Youtube channel, New Paltz Hawks.