Baber Earns National Recognition For Defense

--Daytona Beach, FL

On June 20th the American Baseball Coach's Association, the NJCAA, and Rawlings Sporting Goods released the Gold Glove teams for each level of college baseball. This is the 11th year in which a Gold Glove team has been named spanning nine divisons of amatuer baseball. 

Winter Haven High School and Babson Park, FL native, Dustin Baber was awarded a NJCAA Division I Gold Glove for his play at shortstop for the Falcons. 

This Gold Glove honor follows his Mid-Florida Conference Defesivive Player of the Year award and his NJCAA Region VII Defensivie Player of the Year award he recieved back at the beginning of May for his outstanding defensivie play. 

Baber was asked about earning a Gold Glove and recieving national recognition for his defense, "It feels incredible, defense has always been the highest priority to my game. Getting this award gives me the satisfaction of knowing I was doing my job to the best of my ability everyday at shortstop for my team and the pitching staff." 

Baber posted a .973 fielding percentage on 184 total chances with 111 assists, 68 putouts, 13 double plays and only 5 errors. 

Baber continued, "I want to thank Coach Touma and my teammates for pushing me for the past two years to be the best defender I could be."

Baber will be continuing his college academic and athletic career at North Carolina A&T State University this upcoming Fall. 

Tim Touma, Daytona State College HBC, was asked about Baber reaching Gold Glove status, "I am very happy that his hard work and dedication to defense were rewarded by being named to the NJCAA Gold Glove team. Baber is the first Daytona State player in my time at this college to earn this recognition."