CoSIDA RELEASE
 

LA MIRADA, Calif. --- The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) has announced the 2020-21 Baseball Academic All-America teams, and Biola Baseball utility player RobertAnthony Cruz has earned NCAA Division II First-Team accolades. 

This is Cruz's first Academic All-America honor.

CoSIDA recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CoSIDA Academic All-American program separately recognizes baseball in four divisions - NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII and NAIA. 

Cruz became eligible for Academic all-America honors when he was named to CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team earlier this month. 

Biola Baseball's standout boasts a 3.94 grade-point average while majoring in Christian Ministries. 

On the field, the Riverside, California native led the Eagles at the plate, slashing .388/.480/.712 in 116 at-bats. In 31 games, the senior tallied 45 hits with 18 extra-base hits and 11 home runs. The junior led the eagles in OPS (1.222), runs scored (29), hits (45), RBI (36) and walks (23). 

In his final season as an Eagle, Cruz was named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II West All-Region First Team, All-PacWest First Team, NCBWA First Team, CCA Honorable Mention All-America Team, D2CCA All-Region First Team, CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team, CoSIDA Academic All-American First Team and was also Biola Athletics EDDIES: Male Student-Athelte of the Year Winner.

Cruz will have the opportunity to play baseball at the professional level as he begins his journey in Minor League Baseball after signing as an undrafted free-agent with the Washington Nationals.