Liponis, Grabowski Capture ABCA Region II All-Defensive Team Accolades
BEVERLY, Mass. — Endicott baseball senior shortstop TJ Liponis (Scarborough, Maine) and graduate third baseman Kyle Grabowski (Westfield, Mass.) have each earned American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Region II Defensive Team honors at their respective positions for their incredible defensive performances in the 2026 season, the organization announced on Thursday.
For both Liponis, it is the third time in his career he has earned ABCA All-Region Defensive Team honors (2024, 2025) and for Grabowski, it is the second time in his career that he has earned a spot on the ABCA All-Region Defensive Team (2023).
TJ LIPONIS | 3x ABCA ALL-REGION II DEFENSIVE TEAM MEMBER | SHORTSTOP
TJ anchored the shortstop position for the Gulls during their deepest run in program history. Having been within a win of the national championship, Liponis was the captain of a top-tier Endicott defense.
He featured a fielding percentage of .962, with 60 putouts and a team-high 166 assists. He also turned 33 double plays up the middle for the Endicott defense, helping the Gulls pitching staff to nationally dominant numbers.
Perhaps Liponis' most iconic moment defensively occurred in game two of the national championship series against Denison. With the Gulls needing a win to keep their season and national championship aspirations alive, Liponis turned a wild rundown into a double play with his heads-up defense, keeping the game tied 10-10 in the ninth inning and bringing the Gulls up to bat. They later wound up walking off the wild contest, 11-10, in the bottom of the 10th inning to force game three.
TJ's awareness and athleticism up the middle brought the Gulls to unprecedented success, and always set the table for the rest of his team behind him in the 2026 season.
KYLE GRABOWSKI | 2x ABCA ALL-REGION II DEFENSIVE TEAM MEMBER | THIRD BASE
After years of playing through a shoulder injury in which he spent most of his time at designated hitter, Grabowski made his defensive return to the diamond in 2026.
Back at the hot corner consistently for the first time since the 2023 season, the graduate student did not miss a beat.
In 135 total chances, he recorded 24 putouts and 105 assists for a fielding percentage of .956.
He also contributed to 11 double plays this season, which is eight more than his previous career high of three turned in a season (2023).
His consistency and reliability helped the Gulls reach their first-ever national championship series, and also brought the Endicott pitching staff to national bests in a host of categories.
Grabowski concludes his esteemed Endicott career with the most games played in program history, and has also written his name all over the offensive record books in addition to his outstanding defensive success.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Endicott (44-14) appeared in its first ever national championship. The Gulls won game two in walkoff fashion to force game three, but ultimately fell to Denison, 4-3, in the winner-take-all finale on June 4.
Among the many impressive feats from this year's squad, one of the most impressive was their performance in winner-take-all elimination games.
The 2026 Gulls were the first team in DIII history to win four winner-take-all games, which eventually earned them a berth in the national championship.
With their run to the College World Series, Endicott became the first team since Chapman (2005-09) to appear in four straight CWS'.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - David Le '10)