A historic accolade
Evan Dempsey, a standout pitcher and outfielder for Florida Gulf Coast, has been named to the First Team All‑American roster by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) in partnership with Rawlings for the second consecutive season. The honor makes him the first player in FGCU history to earn back‑to‑back All‑America recognition, and he joins an exclusive group of only three athletes from non‑Power 4 conferences to achieve first‑team status in the same year.
Dempsey’s versatility was on full display throughout the campaign. He earned first‑team all‑conference honors in both roles, batting .333 with 79 hits, 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 57 runs scored and 46 RBI while also stealing 15 bases on 17 attempts. On the mound he posted a 7‑2 record, a 3.15 ERA and a league‑leading 126 strikeouts, walking only 26 batters and limiting opponents to a .209 average.
A season of dual‑role excellence
His statistical profile reflects a rare blend of power and speed. An on‑base percentage of .412 and a slugging percentage of .512 produced an OPS of .948, placing him among the most productive hitters on his squad. Defensively, his .948 OPS and .412 OBP ranked among the team’s best, while his 15 stolen bases underscored his threat on the bases.
The accolades extended beyond the All‑America selection. Dempsey was a finalist for the John Olerud Two‑Way Player of the Year Award and a semifinalist for both the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award, recognizing his impact as a two‑way player. His performance also earned him first‑team all‑conference honors in both pitching and outfield.
Looking ahead
The ABCA/Rawlings postseason awards calendar will continue with the Gold Glove teams to be announced on June 15, followed by the Gold Glove teams for all divisions on June 17. The Pitchers and Position Players of the Year will be revealed on June 22, capping a season that has placed Dempsey at the forefront of collegiate baseball discourse.