November 30, 2023

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Infielder Austin Gomm had the best college season of any Terriers graduate in 2023.

And earlier this month he was recognized for it by being named to the Canadian Baseball Network All-Canadian College First Team.

During his sophomore season at Parkland College, Gomm hit .455, posted a .533 on-base percentage and slugged .906. His 20 home runs were a single season school record, surpassing the 17 big leaguer Kevin Kiermaier had as a Cobra.

Gomm got used to being recognized for his strong play throughout the season.

Last month, he was named the Parkland College Male Athlete of the Year.

Back in June, he was named a National Junior College Athletic Association Division II First Team All-American and a Mid-West Athletic Conference All-Conference First Team pick.

In May, he was selected to the All-Region 24 Team.

During the week of April 24-30, the former Junior National Team shortstop was dubbed the Canadian Baseball Network College Player of the Week after collecting 11 hits, including three home runs, in a four-game series against the Lincoln Land.

Finally, he was a three-time Terriers College Player of the Week, twice in March and once in May.

His play also caught the attention of NAIA powerhouse LSU Shreveport as he committed to the school back in April.

What the CBN had to say:

He hit .455 with 22 doubles, two triples, 20 homers and 58 RBIs. He also stole 10 bases and had a 1.439 OPS in 56 games. On the top Canuck list, Gomm was second in slugging and OPS. He tied for third in homers with Nash Crowell, had the third highest batting average and was fourth in on-base percentage.

His 20 home runs were seventh in the JUCO ranks and the most in program history. Gomm numbers ranked amongst the best in the USA as his batting average was seventh in the nation, his 87 hits (11th), his 22 doubles (13th) and his 58 RBIs (52nd).

He filled his hat going 4-for-5, hitting a double, homer and knocking in three against Lincoln Land, 4-for-5 against Lincoln Land hitting a double, homer and plating three and it was poetic justice when he was 4-for-5 against Carl Sandburg with a homer and three RBIs. Gomm went 3-for-4 against Southwestern Illinois with a double, a homer and three RBIs, 3-for-4 facing Carl Sandburg with a double and an RBI, 3-for-3 with two homers and six RBIs in a win over Spoon River, 3-for-4 facing Spoon River with a double, homer and three RBIs, 3-for-4 against the Quincy JVs with two doubles, a triple and an RBI, he went 3-for-5 facing Marian JVs with a double, homer and two RBIs, he was 3-for-6 facing South Suburban with a solo homer, 3-for-5 against Illinois Central with a homer and five RBIs.

He had two-hit outings against Harper, Kirkwood (double, RBI), Spoon River (homer, two RBIs), Spoon River again (two doubles, an RBI), Heartland (double), John Wood (double), Danville Area (double, three RBIs), Danville Area (triple, solo homer), Illinois Central (solo homer), Illinois Central (homer, two RBIs), Lincoln Land (double, two RBIs), Vincennes (homer, three RBIs), Vincennes (two RBIs), Lewis & Clark, Lewis & Clark again (double, three RBIs) and Vincennes (double, RBI).

Gomm, who played for the Terriers coaches Dean Dicenzo (Hamilton, Ont.) and Scott Vandevalk (Georgetown, Ont.), earned NJCAA DII First Team All-American, NJCAA DII All-Region 24, Mid-West Conference All-Conference Teams First Team and was named Parkland Male Athlete of 2023.