Alva Review-Courier -

PEMBROKE, N.C. – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has named Johnnuelle Ponce as a NCAA Div. II Baseball All-America Honorable Mention, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.

Ponce, who was named First Team All-Central Region on May 23, becomes the eighth Northwestern player in program history to be named an All-American, and the second at the NCAA level. Jonathan Freemyer was the Ranger to be selected All-American when he was named to the National Association of Baseball Coaches Third Team in 2014.

A native of Puerto Rico, Ponce is still eligible for All-American honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the D2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA).

“I’m extremely proud of what Johnnuelle was able to accomplish in his senior season as a Ranger,” said head baseball coach Ryan Bowen. “It was fun to watch him put together one of the best seasons in our program’s history. Johnnuelle loves to playe and he has worked extremely hard to become the player he is now.”

“He deserves to this honor and his legacy as a Ranger will inspire future players in our program for years to come!”

The 2019 Great American Conference Player of the Year, Ponce led the league this past season in home runs with 18, slugging percentage at .762 and total bases with 135 entering the conference tournament. Ponce was also fifth in the nation in home runs and sixth in total bases as the close the regular season.

Ponce’s home run total was the fourth most in a single season by a Ranger. On April 15 against East Central, he became one of ten Rangers to date to hit three home runs in a game.