Indiana University of Pennsylvania announces Cestra named D2CCA All-Region First Team

INDIANA, Pa. -- IUP baseball designated hitter Markus Cestra was named an all-region first team honoree by the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA), the organization announced Wednesday.

It's the second all-region honor for Cestra in 2023, previously earning recognition NCBWA on May 17. 

Cestra was one of the leaders for IUP in 2023, helping the program to its first playoff appearance since 2017 and deepest run in the conference tournament since 2011. A preseason all-region and First Team All-PSAC selection in 2023, Cestra finishes his career third in program history with 41 doubles. 

The Pittsburgh, Pa. native was a key offensive contributor, batting .326 this season while posting a team-high six home runs. He ranks in the top 10 in program history with 164 career hits, slugging .520 for the Hawks in 2023. 

Cestra posted a 17-game hitting streak from April 14-May 10 that spanned the end of the regular season and into a thrilling 8-0 win against top-seeded Millersville in the PSAC Tournament. During that stretch, Cestra collected 16 RBI while helping the Crimson Hawks lock up a playoff spot. 

Cestra played in 180 games during his IUP tenure, hitting .306 with 112 runs, 41 doubles, 13 home runs and 94 RBI.

AWARD WINNERS

Player of the Year: Bren Taylor, Millersville

Pitcher of the Year: Jarrett Heilman, Mercyhurst 

FIRST TEAM

C – Tyler Dellerman, Charleston (2)

1B – Kyle West, Charleston 

2B – Santino Marra, California

3B – Jack Oberdorf, Seton Hill (2)

SS – Thomas Caufield, Millersville (1)

OF – Bren Taylor, Millersville (2)(1)

OF – Giano Zuccaro, Charleston

OF – Josh Adkins, Concord

DH – Markus Cestra, IUP

UTILITY (P) – Luke Trueman, Slippery Rock

UTILITY (NON-P) – Clay Hale, Charleston

SP – Jarrett Heilman, Mercyhurst

SP – Chase Nowak, East Stroudsburg (1)

SP – Carson Kulina, Millersville

SP – Andrew Neff, Concord

RP – Blake Barker, Seton Hill 

SECOND TEAM

C – Vincent Rauso, Seton Hill 

1B – Ross Muhlhall, Shepherd

2B – Randy Steen, Frostburg State

3B – Braden Killens, Wheeling

SS – Scott McManamon, Clarion

OF – Sam Daggers, Shepherd 

OF – Dylan Broderick, Pitt-Johnstown

OF – Jack Whalen, Seton Hill

DH – Wyatt Metzger, Bloomsburg

UTILITY (P) – Ethan Kiple, Frostburg State (2)

UTILITY (NON-P) – Mike Heckman, Shippensburg

SP – Brandon Bergert, Seton Hill

SP – Tom Reisinger, East Stroudsburg

SP – Jacob Stretch, Frostburg State

SP – Tyler Lafferty, West Virginia State

RP – Evan Rishell, Millersville

(1) - Previous first team selection(2) – Previous second team selection

Original source can be found here.