OMAHA, Neb. — Arizona relief pitcher Tony Pluta has been honored as an NCBWA First Team All-American, the organization announced today.

Pluta is just the third Arizona Baseball player to earn First Team All-America recognition from the NCBWA, and only the second relief pitcher to pick up the honor, joining Vince Vannelle in 2021.

This marks the second All-America selection of the year for Pluta, who was also named a Second Team All-American by Perfect Game on Tuesday afternoon.

Pluta, a junior, has logged 28 appearances out of the Wildcats bullpen and has allowed runs to score only twice. The right-hander has tallied 14 saves this season, the most recorded in a single season in program history and currently tied for the fourth most in the nation this year. In addition to his saves Pluta has posted a dominant 1.26 ERA, three wins, 34 strikeouts, and limited opposing hitters to a .183 batting average.

In two of the Wildcats most crucial moments this season, it was Pluta who was on the mound to secure the victory. He earned the save in Arizona's 2-1 win over TCU in the Big 12 Championship title game and the Cats game three win over No. 1 North Carolina in the Chapel Hill Super Regional to punch the team's ticket to the Men's College World Series. 

Pluta's on-field success is just half the story — the junior Aerospace Engineering major has also racked up numerous academic honors during his time at Arizona, none more prestigious than his selection as the 2025 Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year last month.

Arizona returns to action this Friday, June 13 in the opening game of the Men's College World Series. First pitch on ESPN against Coastal Carolina is set for 11:00 a.m. MST.