Burlin named to All-Region squad

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Simpson outfielder Austin Burlin earned a spot on the 2016 D3baseball.com All-Central Region Third Team, as announced earlier this week.

A senior from Chariton, Iowa, Burlin landed the honor on the heels of a career season. The First Team All-Iowa Conference outfielder becomes Simpson's first all-region performer since Tyler Craig in 2013.*

Buena Vista's Neil Marshall was named the Central Region Player of the Year. Brad Margolin of Washington-St. Louis was the Pitcher of the Year, Coe's Kevin DeLaney earned Rookie of the Year honors and North Central skipper Ed Mathey earned Coach of the Year honors.

Complete 2016 D3baseball.com All-Central Region Team

Burlin hit .383 with six home runs and 32 RBIs in 2016, all team-highs. He tied a school record with 18 doubles, good for third in the IIAC. He also ranked in the top five in the league in batting average, slugging, on-base percentage, runs scored and total bases. He began the season on a 25-game hitting streak, a mark that totaled 30 games dating back to the 2015 season.

A career .283 hitter through his junior season, Burlin made big strides in 2016. The senior flirted with becoming Simpson's first .400 hitter since 2010.

*originally stated Burlin was first all-region performer since Scott Ethell in 2010.