AUM’s Lovrich selected as ABCA/Diamond Regional Coach of the Year
GREENSBORO, N.C. (aumathletics.com) — After leading the team to its fourth Avista-NAIA World Series in the history of the program, Auburn Montgomery head baseball coach Marty Lovrich was selected one of 10 NAIA ABCA/Diamond Regional Coaches of the Year recently by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
The honor marks the second time in four years as a head coach Lovrich earned the honor. He was also chosen for the accolade in 2014 while coaching at Southern Poly.
In 2016, Lovrich guided the Warhawks to a 46-17 record, an NAIA Opening Round site championship and an Avista-NAIA World Series appearance. The 40-win season marked the third straight for a Lovrich coached team.
Lovrich coached three First-Team All-Southern States Athletic Conference selections, including closer Jed Carter, who became the highest drafted AUM player when he was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round of the MLB Draft. Additional Mac Seibert signed a free agent contract with the Tampa Bay Rays and Dalton Kelley was signed by the Utica Unicorns of the United Shores Professional Baseball League.
As a team, the Warhawks finished 14th in the NAIA in fielding percentage at .964, while offensive the team ranked 21st in triples, 28th in hits, 39th in runs batted in, 40th in runs scored and 47th in batting average. AUM pitches combined to strike out 402 hitters, a mark ranking 24th nationally, while posting the 36th-best ERA among NAIA schools.
Additional regional honorees included Faulkner’s Patrick McCarthy, Lindsey Wilson’s Jonathan Burton, The Master’s Monte Brooks, Jeremiah Robbins from Lewis-Clark State, Point’s Jeremy Christian, Adrian Dinkel from Sterling, Mike Ross from Science & Arts, Duane Monlux of Bellevue and Tennessee Wesleyan’s Travis Watson.
