Bowling Green freshman D.J. Newman was named to the Collegiate Baseball Freshmen All-America team, becoming the fifth player in program history to receive the recognition.

Newman was named to the list under multiple positions for his performance on the mound and at the plate, just one of two multiple-position players named to the list, joining Michigan’s Mitch Voit.

Newman was also one of two players from the Mid-American Conference named, being joined by Eastern Michigan first baseman Josh Kross.

Newman is the first Falcon to be named to the list since Kyle Gurney earned the honor following the 2021 season. In addition to Gurney, Newman joins Jake Wilson (2017), Tyler Saneholtz (2002) and Len Elias (2002) as Falcons to receive the recognition.

Newman will add Freshman All-American to a list of 2023 accolades that includes being the MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-MAC as a designated hitter.

“DJ had an outstanding freshman season balancing both offensive and pitching duties,” said coach Kyle Hallock.

“This award correctly recognizes his ability amongst his peers and he is very deserving. We look forward to seeing how he improves going into the 2024 season.”

As a hitter, Newman led the Falcons and all MAC freshman while finishing fourth in the MAC overall for batting average (.383).

Similarly, he led the team and finished third in the MAC, second among freshman, for on-base percentage (.481). Newman filled out his stat line at the plate by finishing second on the team in slugging percentage (.495), fourth in hits (41) and fifth in runs scored (28).

As for on the mound, Newman made 15 appearances with three starts, including eight innings of shutout baseball against Toledo in his final start of the season (May 18).

In the start against the Rockets, Newman struck out a season-high eight, gave up just two hits, faced only three batters over the minimum and retired the final 17 batters he faced.

Over the course of the season, he maintained a 3.49 ERA, third on the team and second among pitchers with at least 10.0+ innings pitched. He struck out 33 batters over 28.2 innings of work and walked just five batters, the fewest among pitchers with 10.0+ innings on the team.