Rhode Island's Wilson, VCU's Donko Collect NCBWA Preseason All-America Accolades - Atlantic 10 Skip To Main Content

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Rhode Island's Wilson, VCU's Donko Collect NCBWA Preseason All-America Accolades

KINGSTON, R.I. – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has named Rhode Island junior Tyler Wilson and VCU relieved Sam Donko to its Preseason All-America Team, announced Tuesday. 
The award is the latest one for Donko, who earned multiple awards after the conclusion of last season as well. He earned both ABCA/Rawlings All-East Region First Team honors, as well as Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team recognition as well. However, most impressive, was his award to the NCBWA All-America Team as one of only five relievers on the list. 

Last season in his first season in Black and Gold after transferring from Iowa Western Junior College, Donko became a force in the back of the bullpen for the Rams. He began to rack up save after save, as he led the NCAA Division I ranks in that category, ending up on 20 for the season. That broke a VCU record that was previously set by Daniel Concepcion in 2015, as he compiled a 2.63 ERA in 54.2 innings over 30 appearances. He would finish third amongst all VCU pitchers with 53 strikeouts on the season.

The award is the latest one for Donko, who earned multiple awards after the conclusion of last season as well. He earned both ABCA/Rawlings All-East Region First Team honors, as well as Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team recognition as well. However, most impressive, was his award to the NCBWA All-America Team as one of only five relievers on the list. 

Last season in his first season in Black and Gold after transferring from Iowa Western Junior College, Donko became a force in the back of the bullpen for the Rams. He began to rack up save after save, as he led the NCAA Division I ranks in that category, ending up on 20 for the season. That broke a VCU record that was previously set by Daniel Concepcion in 2015, as he compiled a 2.63 ERA in 54.2 innings over 30 appearances. He would finish third amongst all VCU pitchers with 53 strikeouts on the season.

Wilson, an ABCA and Perfect Game First-Team All-American in 2016, was the lone player from a Northeast team recognized by the NCBWA as a Preseason All-American. He and VCU reliever Sam Donko were the lone A-10 athletes represented on the 65-man list.

Wilson's 2017 Preseason Accolades

  • NCBWA Preseason All-American - Second Team
  • Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American - Second Team
  • Perfect Game Preseason All-American - Third Team
  • Baseball America Top-100 College Prospects - #65
  • D1Baseball.com Top-100 College Prospects - #74
  • New England Baseball Journal Big Men on Campus - #1
  • Preseason Pitcher of the Year - D1Baseball.com

After just two seasons with the Rams, the Palmer, Mass. native is easily the most decorated baseball player in Rhode Island history. Included among his lengthy list of accolades are eight different All-America awards, two National Player of the Week nods and NCAA All-Regional Team honors. The two-time Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year finished his sophomore season ranked second in the nation in wins (13), third in hits allowed per nine innings (4.66) and fifth in WHIP (0.84).

Wilson enters his junior year with an overall record of 19-4. His career ERA of 2.23 ranks first all-time at URI while he is tied for sixth in career wins and is eighth all time in career strikeouts (197).