GREENSBORO, N.C. -- After a season chock full of highlight reel plays at the hot corner, Christopher Newport junior third baseman
Sam Benedict was recognized as a member of the 2025 ABCA NCAA Division III Region 6 All-Defensive Team. Benedict becomes just the second player in program history to earn All-Defensive Team honors, joining teammate
Scott Crosson who earned the recognition in 2024 as a member of the outfield.
The teams are voted on by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the process is led by the ABCA NCAA Division III All-America and Coach of the Year Committee. Players selected to the ABCA NCAA Division III Regional All-Defensive Teams became eligible for ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove honors, which were announced on Wednesday.
The Region All-Defensive Teams were first recognized by the organization in 2023 making this the third rendition of the collection of honors. Benedict was joined by fellow Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference defenders in outfielder Bobby Ayscue (Mary Washington) and first baseman Danny Sheeler (Salisbury).
This year, Benedict committed just three errors in 87 total chances at third base while rankings second on the team in total assists with 70. With that performance, he set a program record for fielding percentage at third base with a 96.6 percent success rate, besting Kyle Corwin's 2014 season in which he posted a .964 mark. He played a role in five double plays and secured 14 putouts for the Captains at the hot corner. It marked the most chances by a third baseman since Seth Woodard had 116 during the 2019 campaign and included a run of 20 straight games without an error to end the season.
On three different occasions Benedict logged a season-high five assists in a game including the first two games of the season against Messiah. The third came at Roanoke on March 13 in a game in which he also drove in three runs and stole a pair of bases. During the 20-game error-free streak, Benedict piled up 35 of his 70 assists and eight putouts.
The electrifying season at third base came with game-saving stops and diving snags to halt would-be rallies against the CNU pitching staff. He continued to add to an impressive career at third with a .907 career fielding percentage while securing 45 putouts and adding 151 assists. He set a single-season high with 70 assists this season while also setting a career best with just three miscues.
The Glastonbury, Conn. native was an Academic All-District selection and a member of the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference All-Tournament Team.
| 2025 ABCA NCAA Div. III Region 6 All-Defensive Team |
| Pos. |
Player |
Cl. |
School |
State |
| C |
Evan Weyler |
Jr. |
Centre |
KY |
| 1B |
Grayson Harris |
Sr. |
Hampden-Sydney |
VA |
| 2B |
Brandon Mauger |
So. |
Methodist |
NC |
| 3B |
Sam Benedict |
Jr. |
Christopher Newport |
VA |
| SS |
Jonathan Cruz |
Gr. |
Oglethorpe |
GA |
| OF |
Bobby Ayscue |
Gr. |
Mary Washington |
VA |
| OF |
Trace Cate |
Sr. |
Piedmont |
GA |
| OF |
Jack Bowles |
So. |
Randolph-Macon |
VA |
| P |
Zac Sohosky |
Jr. |
Rhodes |
TN |
