LAKELAND, Fla.

Joining Gonzalez on the All-South Region First Team from Tusculum are utility player Christian Rosa and pitcher Boo Morrow.

The trio has paced the Pioneers to a 40-13 overall record and TC is ranked No. 13 in the nation. Tusculum won the 2008 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament title, while punching its ticket for this week's NCAA II Tournament. The Pioneers are the No. 2 seed in this weekend's South Region Tournament and will open against fifth-seeded Carson-Newman College on today at 3 p.m. from Tampa, Fla.

Gonzalez, a senior from Maraca Ibo, Venezuela, leads the nation hitting .476, which is also on pace to break both the school and South Atlantic Conference single-season record. The two-time All-Region selection has accounted for 99 hits this season, which are the second most in TC and SAC history. The 99 hits are just two shy of matching the 101 posted by teammate Carlos Rivera last year.

Gonzalez, a 2007 All-American, has recorded 20 doubles, seven triples, five home runs and 56 RBI in 2008. He was also named the 2008 SAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. He has tied a school season record with 29 stolen bases and his 48 career thefts on the base paths are three off the all-time mark. His .461 career batting average is also the best in school history and is ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA II record book.

Rosa, a senior from Toa Bao, Puerto Rico, returns to the All-Region First Team for a second straight season. Rosa has made 51 starts this year, splitting time between catcher and the outfield. Rosa is hitting .402 with 14 doubles, seven triples and a team-best 11 home runs. The two-time All-SAC honoree has scored a school record 70 runs this, which are tied for the sixth most in league history.

Morrow, a junior right-handed pitcher from Lexington, Ky., is making his debut appearance on the All-Region team. Morrow has posted a perfect 7-0 record in his 10 starts with a 1.87 earned run average which is 17th in the country. Morrow has recorded 60 strikeouts in his 72.1 innings this season. He has yet to suffer a loss in his collegiate career (11-0).

The Daktronics All-South Region Team is selected by a vote of the sports information directors in the region, which consists of the South Atlantic Conference, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Sunshine State Conference, plus independent Palm Beach Atlantic. Players named to the All-Region First Team will appear on the national ballot for the 2008 Daktronics All-America Team.

Tusculum is making its fourth NCAA postseason appearance in the last six years. The Pioneers have won eight of their last nine games and 16 of 18 entering the NCAA Tournament.