Baseball: Conrad becomes first UL baseball unanimous All-American – Trahan and Adams also first team

The Advertiser, June 20, 2014

UL’s Jace Conrad arrives at second base after hitting a double against Jackson State in an NCAA Baseball Division I Tournament game.(Photo: Leslie Westbrook, The Advertiser)

Junior Jace Conrad became the first Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns baseball player to be tabbed a unanimous first-team All-American as he was one of three players selected to the 2014 ABCA/Rawlings All-America teams, the American Baseball Coaches Association announced on Thursday.

Conrad, a first-team second baseman, is joined on the first team by shortstop Blake Trahan, while Caleb Adams is listed as a second-team outfielder.

"It’s both an honor and a privilege for these guys to be recognized for the season they had," head coach Tony Robichaux said. "For Jace to be a unanimous first-team All-American really is a special honor and something that has never been done before. All three of them would say that their accomplishments were only made possible by the support of their teammates."

The 2014 Sun Belt Player of the Year, Conrad has been named a first-teamer by all five publications this year including Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, Perfect Game, NCBWA and the ABCA. The Lafayette native is the first Louisiana player in program history to earn more than four All-America honors in a season.

The first-team honor is the first for Trahan, a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, as he was also selected as a second-team All-American by Baseball America and Perfect Game. Trahan was also named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and Perfect Game second-team All-American a year ago. The sophomore will spend the summer playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National team.

Adams, a four-time All-American, was drafted in the tenth round of the MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels. A semifinalist for the Golden Spikes and Dick Howser Awards, Adams was a first-team All-American selection by Baseball America and Perfect Game. Adams ranks second in program history in All-American selections with four equaling Phil Devey’s four selections in 1999.