ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Catcher/designated hitter Chris DeVito and relief pitcher Alex Estrella were both named Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-America, making them the second and third student-athletes this season to earn Academic All-America honors. Josh Dye of men’s soccer was a First Team selection in the Fall.
The honors also continues a streak for UNM as had at least two CoSIDA Academic All-America selections for each of the last 15 academic years, dating back to the 2001-02 season. DeVito and Estrella are also the 93rd and 94th Academic All-Americans for UNM in a program that dates back to 1971.
DeVito and Estrella also made some history with their selections, becoming the first pitcher, and first catcher, in the history of the program to earn Academic All-America. It also marked the first time in school history that two Lobo baseball players were named Academic All-America in the same season. Overall, Lobo Baseball has had nine student-athletes earn Academic All-America honors a total of 12 times.
DeVito, who due to injury has moved to a full-time designate hitter role, made the team as a catcher after leading the team with a .379 batting average, with 16 home runs and 62 RBI, both marks second on the team. DeVito, a junior with a 3.52 grade point average in criminology, nearly single-handedly defeated Fresno State back in April, hitting three home runs, including a game-tying two-run shot in the 10th inning with two outs in an eventual 14-13 win in 12 innings. He was named to the midseason Golden Spikes Award watch list.
Estrella has been one of UNM’s top players out of the bullpen, appearing in 24 games with a 2.70 ERA, pitching 26.2 innings and allowing just 22 hits with 25 strikeouts. He has a 2-2 record and a career-high seven saves.
NOTES: New Mexico has now had 67 Academic All-Americans in the last 15 years … only New Mexico and the U.S. Naval Academy had multiple student-athletes on the team and advanced to an NCAA regional … UNM opens regional play against Dallas Baptist at 5 p.m. today on ESPN 3 and ESPN Radio 101.7 The Team.
Lobo Baseball CoSIDA Academic All-Americans
| 2016 | Chris DeVito | C |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Estrella | P | |
| 2014 | Sam Haggerty | IF |
| 2006 | Chris Carlson | UT/DH |
| 2005 | Chris Carlson | DH |
| 2004 | Sean Murray | OF |
| 2003 | Dustin Young | IF |
| 1997 | Travis Young | IF |
| 1996 | Travis Young | IF |
| 1994 | Mark Wulfert | OF |
| 1971 | Larry Minarsich | IF |
| 1970 | Larry Minarsich | IF |