Semel earns All-America honors from baseball coaches

ORANGE, Calif. - Having already been honored by D3Baseball.com as an All-America selection, Chapman University sophomore OF/P John Semel has also been named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-America team for the 2009 season. Semel was named to the second team utility position for his prowess in the lineup and on the mound.

The sophomore did a little bit of everything for the Panthers this year as Chapman's starting leftfielder and No. 3 batter. Semel batted .415 with a team-high 12 home runs, 68 runs scored and set a school record with 24 stolen bases. He led Chapman in nine offensive categories, including total bases and on-base percentage. In fact, he ranked No. 5 in Division III in total bases with 142 - another school record.

In addition, Semel helped the Panthers to a third place finish at the Division III championships, making 20 relief appearances this season and had the fourth-most saves in the nation with nine. He posted a 2.61 ERA in 41.1 innings with 39 strikeouts and opponents batted just.253 against him.

Semel becomes the 12th Panther in school history to be named to the ABCA Division III All-America team and the 32nd baseball All-American all-time at Chapman.