Mota & Tuthill Named to ABCA / Rawlings Pacific Association Division All-Region Second Team

RIVERSIDE -- A pair of players from the Riverside City College (RCC) Tigers baseball program has been named to the 2017 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) / Rawlings Pacific Association Division All-Region teams.

The selection process is led by the ABCA Pacific Association Division All-America Committee, which is chaired by Paul Moore of the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association. 

The Pacific Association Division is comprised of community and junior colleges from the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) and the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).

Riverside City, which was the No. 10 seed in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) South Regional Playoffs, finished 29-13 overall after a pair of losses -- 12-11 (May 5) and 3-2 (May 6) -- to No. 7 seed (and host) Pasadena City College.

RCC was 15-6 in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play and finished second in the conference standings. Second-year RCC head coach Rudy Arguelles finished his 18th year with the program.

RCC sophomore first baseman/designated hitter/RHP closer Ryan Mota (Fontana - Kaiser HS '14) and sophomore starting LHP Blake Tuthill  (Redlands - Redlands East Valley HS '14) -- who is pictured -- were named to the ABCA/ Rawlings Pacific Association Division Second Team.

Mota started all 21 OEC games and was third on the Tigers with a .337 batting average (28 for 83). In OEC play, Mota led RCC in hits (co-led with 28), runs (20), doubles (eight), home runs (seven), and RBI (26). On the mound, Mota had six appearances and three saves. He was named Orange Empire Conference (OEC) co-MVP (as well as First Team All-OEC), along with Orange Coast College (OCC) sophomore short stop Travis Moniot.

Overall, Mota started all 42 games and was second on RCC in batting average (.331 in 169 at bats), He led the team in home runs (12) and RBI (46). He also co-led in hits (56) and doubles (11).

"Both of these young men deserve this recognition, as they both delivered on and off the field, on a consistent basis throughout the year," said Arguelles.

"Ryan is a dual threat player, who has a bright future," added Arguelles. "Cal Baptist University will reap the benefits of his make up and abilities the next couple of years.

Tuthill, RCC's Tuesday (No. 1) pitcher, made seven OEC starts, pitched 51-1/3 innings, allowed 12 runs (earned), walked ten and had 35 strikeouts. He was 5-1 and had a 2.10 earned run average (ERA) in OEC action and also was named to the All-OEC First Team. Overall, Tuthill co-led with 14 starts (co-team-leading 13 starts) and led with 68 strikeouts and a 10-1 overall record.

"Blake showed an uncanny ability to compete week in and week out on the mound and give us a chance to win with every outing," continued Arguelles. "His 10 wins ranked him at the top of the state leaders. He gets to take his competitiveness and help Cal State Chico continue its success.

"We will miss them very much, but at the same time look forward to their continued successes as well," concluded Arguelles.

***

ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winners for the Pacific Association Division will be announced on June 21 and the ABCA National Player of the Year will be announced on June 28.

The ABCA All-America team was first recognized in 1949 and now includes nine divisions: NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, Pacific Association Division, and high school. ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams were first recognized in 2007.

The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 8,000 members represent all 50 states and 25 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include eight divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School and Youth. The 74th annual ABCA Convention will be held Jan. 4-7, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

About Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels. Rawlings' unparalleled quality, innovative engineering and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.

***

-30-