AVE MARIA, Fla.- Ave Maria University senior outfielder Francesco Barbieri was honored by the NAIA as an All-American on Wednesday, when the national office unveiled its seasonal awards. Barbieri was named a Third Team All-American by the NAIA, and was one of three Sun Conference players honored on the end-of-year list by the national office.

The first and second teams are recognized as ABCA/Rawlings All-Americans by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings Sporting Goods. The ABCA began recognizing All-Americans in 1949 and named the first ABCA NAIA All-America team in 1969. Starting in the 2024 season, the NAIA started recognizing a third All-American team across all sports. 

The Brampton, Ontario native is the first player in more than a decade to be named a baseball All-American at Ave Maria, and just the third all-time. Barbieri joins Ave Maria Athletics Hall of Famer Alex Sanchez and Joe Bocchino s selections, with both previous players earning the honor in 2013. Barbieri's selection gives Ave Maria University 14 All-Americans for the 2023-24 school year, easily setting a new school record.

Barbieri had the greatest single-season AMU history. He was named the SUN Conference Player of the Year, leading the league in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS, walks, triples and home runs. He set the program record for slugging percentage, on-base percentage and OPS, posting just the third 1+ OPS season in school history. He also set the single season record for walks and home runs, breaking the record with just the second three-home run game in AMU history.

In addition to his spot as the Sun Conference Player of the Year, the All-American was also an Academic All-Sun Conference, CSC Academic All-District, and Sun Conference All-Tournament Team selection.

Ave Maria finished the 2024 season with a record of 22-26. Despite the losing record, 2024 should be remembered as an up year for the Gyrenes. AMU started the year ranked #15 in the country, the highest they have ever been ranked in school history. The Gyrenes had two players named to the First All-SUN team, Francesco Barbieri and Davis Blair. It is the first time since 2018 Ave Maria has had anyone on the first team and the most since 2013. The Gyrenes had six players overall get nominated as All-Conference players, again the most in team history since 2013.

As a team, the set the program record for home runs and slugging percentage while posting the second on-base percentage.