Neil Marshall Named First Team All-American
The postseason awards keep on piling up for Buena Vista University senior second baseman Neil Marshall, but none bigger than becoming the program's first-ever First Team All-American.
The postseason awards keep on piling up for Buena Vista University senior second baseman Neil Marshall, but none bigger than becoming the program's first-ever First Team All-American by D3baseball.com. This is the 10th year that D3baseball.com has presented the recognition and Marshall is just the third Beaver to be recognized on any of the teams.
It was a record-breaking and standout season for the Alta, Iowa native. He led all of Division III in doubles (25) and set a new school record in the process, breaking the previous mark of 19. He also broke the Iowa Conference record of 13 two-baggers when he finished the IIAC slate with 18.
Marshall, who had played the previous two years in centerfield, made the switch to the infield this season. In 28 conference games, Marshall led the conference in six categories: slugging percentage (.835), on base percentage (.524), runs scored (39), doubles (18), total bases (86), and plate appearances (127). He was also second in batting average (.417), hits (43), and RBI (30). He hit safely in 26 of the 28 games and had 15 multi-hit outings.
In all games, he lead the IIAC in on base percentage (.498), runs (60), hits (64), doubles (25), walks (33), total bases (114), and plate appearances (210).
Not only was he the IIAC leader, he also led the region in total bases and was in the top-five in both runs (60) and walks (33).
Marshall was the lone Iowa Conference player named to any of the three All-America teams. He's only the second Iowa Conference player to ever earn First Team All-America accolades by D3baseball.com (Ryan Grant, Wartburg; 2007)
Marshall helped Buena Vista finish the year at 33-11 (22-6 IIAC) and a second-place overall placing.