PEMBROKE, N.C. (Jan. 28, 2022) – Oklahoma Christian sluggers
Michael DiFiore and
Blake Empkey received recognition Friday on the NCAA Division II preseason All-America list produced by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
DiFiore, a sophomore first baseman from Lucas, Texas, made the NCBWA's All-America second-team list, while Empkey, a junior outfielder-pitcher from Bedford, Texas, received honorable mention. The NCBWA honor lists are selected by athletic communications professionals from each of Division II's eight regions.
DiFiore and Empkey earlier made the preseason All-South Central Region first-team list as chosen by the NCBWA. They are the first two OC players ever to be named to the NCBWA's preseason All-America lists.
DiFiore was one of only three LSC players to make one of the All-America first-, second- or third-team lists, along with two players from Angelo State (Texas) – utility player Aaron Walters (first team) and relief pitcher Carson Childers (third team).
Fourteen players – 10 field-position players and four pitchers – made up the NCBWA's first- and second-team All-America lists, with 15 players on the third-team list. Thirty-three players received honorable mention after appearing on at least 25 percent of the ballots of those voting on the teams.
DiFiore, the LSC freshman of the year and a first-team All-LSC selection in 2021, hit .348 with 19 homers and 58 RBIs. He led the LSC in both homers and slugging percentage and finished a close third in RBIs despite playing at least 13 games fewer than the top two players in that category. In NCAA Division II, DiFiore ranked ninth in homers, 16th in RBIs and 31st in slugging percentage.
His 19 homers tied for second on OC's single-season list and with 25 in his career, he already ranks fourth on the program's all-time list. With three seasons of eligibility still remaining, he's only 22 away from the LSC career record of 47, set by West Texas A&M's Ben Hangartner from 1999-2002.
Empkey was a first-team All-LSC selection last season after hitting .359 with 12 home runs and 53 RBIs (fifth-best in the league). He ranked third in the LSC in homers and ninth in hits (61) while posting a .665 slugging percentage and a .426 on-base percentage. He also made four pitching appearances, recording a save while posting a 4.50 ERA and eight strikeouts in four innings.
OC, coming off a 24-16 season, was picked seventh in the NCBWA's South Central Region preseason poll. The Eagles will open their season Feb. 4-6 with a four-game LSC series at St. Mary's (Texas). OC's home opener will be Feb. 11 against Lubbock Christian (Texas).
