OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Selected as a second-team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) last week, Johnson County sophomore left-handed pitcher Luc Fladda was recently named a second-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings Sporting Goods in conjunction with the NJCAA.
The ABCA All-America Team was first recognized in 1949 and now includes nine divisions: NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA Divisions I, II and III, Pacific Association Division, and high school. ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove teams were first recognized in 2007.
Founded in 1945, the American Baseball Coaches Association is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 40 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel.
This season Fladda was the ace of a pitching staff that helped lead the Cavaliers to a school record mark of 56-10 while capturing conference and district titles capped by an eighth place finish at the NJCAA JUCO World Series.
Fladda appeared in 18 games, 17 as a starter. He had a perfect record of 12-0 with 107 strikeouts in 102.0 innings, six complete games and an earned run average of 2.74. Fladda led the conference in innings pitched, ranked second in ERA, victories, strikeouts, and complete games. Nationally he ranked second in innings pitched, tied for third in victories and tied for 13th in strikeouts. His 12 victories tie for the second most in a season in team history and tied the record for fewest losses. Fladda also ranks second on the season chart for innings pitched, tied for third in strikeouts and set a team record for most games started.
In his first start Fladda hurled six innings of no-hit ball with 11 strikeouts to earn a 3-0 win over nationally ranked Crowder (2-11-23) … That performance earned him KJCCC East Pitcher of the Week for week two. Three months later, he earned a nine inning complete-game 11-2 victory over Cowley in the championship game, securing JCCC's third trip to the NJCAA World Series.
Fladda came to JCCC after spending the 2022 season as a redshirt with the Oklahoma Sooners baseball program.
Prior to OU, Fladda was a two-year starter for coach Boyd Manne at Lafayette High School, Chesterfield, Mo. His 2020 campaign was cancelled due to COVID-19. Fladda was rated as the No. 28 overall recruit and No. 2 left-handed pitcher in Missouri, and a top-500 prospect nationally by Perfect Game. He was named First Team All-State 6A by the Missouri Baseball Coaches Association as a senior. Fladda was also named the All-Metro Pitcher of the Year and All-Central Suburban Conference first-team.
About ABCA
The ABCA, founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches at the amateur level. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 40 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel Baseball.
About Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes of all skill levels. Rawlings' unparalleled quality and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more professional athletes, national governing bodies and sports leagues choose Rawlings. Rawlings is the Official Ball Supplier and Batting Helmet of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and an approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit Rawlings.com or by phone at (314) 819-2800.