Gabriel Duran is the second All-American in the baseball program’s history.
Duran’s 2009 season was arguably the greatest ever by a pitcher in a Dowling uniform. He earned Daktronics, NCBWA, and Rawlings/ABCA All-American First Team honors after setting a program record for wins in a season with a 10-2 record. In 89.2 innings on the season, Duran only allowed 13 earned runs for an earned run average of 1.30, which was good for fourth in the nation. Duran struck out 83 batters, held opponents to a .150 batting average against, and led the nation in hits allowed per nine innings. His outstanding season would also include a no-hitter in his first start of the season against Felician College. In the 4-0 Dowling win, Duran registered 14 strikeouts and only walked 3 batters in no-hitting the Golden Falcons.
Along with the All-American honors, Duran also took home two national pitcher of the year awards, winning the award from Daktronics and the NCBWA.
Duran helped lead the Golden Lions to their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division II College World Series and threw a complete game three hitter against No. 1 nationally ranked UC San Diego to earn his record setting 10th win of the season.
His phenomenal season saw Duran earn four East Region Pitcher of the Year honors (Daktronics, Rawlings/ABCA, ECAC, and NBCWA). He also earned East Coast Conference All-Conference First Team, East Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year, ECAC All-Star First Team and Daktronics All-Region First Team.