ATLANTA—Oglethorpe's Jonathan Cruz has been selected as the top defensive shortstop in the region after the ABCA NCAA Division III All-Defensive teams were announced, tabbing Cruz as the region 6 shortstop.

Cruz, already named to the Southern Athletic Association all-conference first team and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region first team, posted great defensive numbers, playing most of the season at shortstop. He committed only six errors in 41 starts and 185 chances. This calculated to a 96.8% fielding percentage, and Cruz also was a part of 16 double plays on the year.

Cruz also posted great hitting numbers as he led the SAA in batting average at a .433 clip and in hits with 66. Cruz ranked fourth in the SAA for runs and fifth for on-base percentage. He scored 44 runs, had 25 RBIs, nine stolen bases and a .518 OBP.

Cruz was an SAA athlete of the week this season, and this year marked his fourth straight all-conference nod after being named honorable mention in 2022, 2023 and 2024.