SAINT LEO, Fla. – Senior second baseman Buck Anderson and senior outfielder Bobby Sparling of the Saint Leo baseball team earned their first career All-South Region honors Tuesday afternoon with the release of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason-All Region teams. Anderson and Sparling earned First Team All-Region honors after a successful 2022 season.

""Bobby and Buck being honored is great for our program and both players deserve the recognition" said head coach Rick O'Dette. " We will continue to need their hard work and leadership this season."

Sparling wrapped up the 2022 season being selected as the South Region Player of the Year. He also earned the honor of being named as a Second Team All-American. Sparling led the whole Sunshine State Conference with 21 home runs, while also finishing second in the conference with his 63 RBI's.

During his junior campaign Sparling led the Lions offense with a .358 average in 202 plate appearances. The Palm Coast, Florida native collected a team-high, 72 hits, 63 RBIs, 47 runs, 21 home runs, 12 doubles, .728 slugging percentage, and a .450 on base percentage. Against Barry University Sparling recorded a season-high six RBI game. In early April, Sparling crushed three homers against Florida Tech.

Anderson finished his junior year starting 53 games for the Green & Gold and finished the season hitting .324. Anderson used his speed on the basepath for the Lions, stealing a conference high 42 bags. Against Florida Southern, Anderson proved to be too much on the basepath as the second basemen stole a season-high four bases. He recorded a season-high three of his 38 RBI's against Eckerd College.

The senior from Torrance, California finished his 2022 campaign second for the Lions in runs with 46, second in hits with 67, 91 total bases, 21 walks, 10 doubles, four home runs, and one triple.

In total, 14 Sunshine State players dotted the two teams with nine on the first and five on the second.
 
The Lions join five several Sunshine State Conference opponents that have been ranked by the NCBWA. Tampa was selected to finish first at 100 points with Rollins (80) right behind them in second. Nova Southeastern places right above the Lions in fourth with 65 points and Florida Southern (30) rounds out the group finishing in ninth.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on Saint Leo Baseball, visit SaintLeoLions.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 
 
2023 NCBWA Division II Preseason All-South Region First-Team
Starting Pitcher: Nate Madej, Gr. Florida Southern, Fla.
Starting Pitcher: Jack Nedrow, So. Lee, Tenn.
Starting Pitcher: Michael Paul, Sr. Tampa, Fla.
Starting Pitcher: Jared Showalter, R-Sr. Savannah State, Ga.
Relief Pitcher: Braydon Nelson, Gr. Tampa, Fla.
Catcher: Jake Smallwood, Sr., Montevallo, Ala.
First Base: Jeff Liquori, Jr. Florida Southern, Fla.
First Base: Dan Sullivan, Sr. Tampa, Fla.
Second Base: Buck Anderson, Sr. Saint Leo, Fla.
Third Base: Sam Kuchinski, Sr. Montevallo, Ala.
Shortstop: JD Urso, So. Tampa, Fla.
Outfield: Garrett Bodine, Sr. Alabama Huntsville, Ala.
Outfield: Reed Latimer, Sr. Montevallo, Ala.
Outfield: Bobby Sparling, Sr. Saint Leo, Fla.
Designated Hitter: Grayson Swanson, Sr. Union, Tenn.
Utility Player: Drew Ehrhard, Gr. Tampa, Fla.
 
2023 NCBWA Division II Preseason All-South Region Honorable Mention
Starting Pitcher: Aric McAtee, Sr. Florida Southern, Fla.
Starting Pitcher: Harrison Haley, Jr. Delta State, Miss.
Relief Pitcher: Michael Dillon, Jr. Nova Southeastern, Fla.
Catcher: Jeremy Kennedy-Davis, Jr. Embry-Riddle, Fla.
Third Base: Daniel Irisarri, Sr. Nova Southeastern, Fla.
Shortstop: Carson Clowers, Jr. Delta State, Miss.
Shortstop: Norris McClure, Jr. Spring Hill, Ala.
Outfield: Joe Smith, Sr. Savannah State, Ga.
Outfield: Gage Ragona, R-Sr. Spring Hill, Ala.
DH: Josh Bower, Sr. West Alabama, Ala.
Utility: Joe Stella, So. Barry, Fla.