Lewis and Gibson Headline Mercer's Postseason Honors
5/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. – After claiming the 2015 Southern Conference regular-season championship in its first year in the league, the Mercer University baseball team was well represented in the Southern Conference postseason honors, which were released by the league office on Monday morning.
Sophomore Kyle Lewis and head coach Craig Gibson headlined the team's awards haul, as Lewis was tabbed the SoCon Player of the Year and Gibson the league's Coach of the Year by both the coaches and the media.
Senior Eric Nyuist joined Lewis as a First Team All-SoCon selection by the coaches, while Matt Meeder and Morgan Pittman garnered Second Team All-SoCon recognition. Trey Truitt and Jackson Ware were also honored by the league, taking home SoCon All-Freshman Team honors.
Lewis became the third player in program history to earn the conference's top honor, joining Gibson and former Bear standout Chesny Young. The 6-foot-4 outfielder had a breakout season for the Bears, as he chased the league's triple crown as one of the most feared hitters in the conference. The SoCon Player of the Month in March led the SoCon in batting average (.386), home runs (16, slugging percentage (.708) and total bases (143), while also ranking among the league leaders in doubles, hits and RBIs.
Gibson earned the second Coach of the Year honor of his career, after guiding the Bears to their second regular season title in the last three years. His 2015 team featured an everyday lineup with just two upperclassmen, however, the youth-laden squad came on strong midway through the year to record the program's sixth straight 30-win season. The 12th year head coach has compiled 389 victories since taking over the reins in 2004, while leading Mercer to three league titles and the first two NCAA Tournament appearances in program history.
Nyquist, who was a First Team All-Atlantic Sun performer in 2014, garnered his second straight all-conference recognition, after leading one of the league's top rotations. The right-hander posted a 7-2 record with a 3.79 ERA, while tossing two complete games and one shutout in 2015. The two-time SoCon Pitcher of the Week ranked third in opposing batting average (.238) and fourth in ERA while topping the conference with five victories in league play.
Meeder, a Second Team All-SoCon selection by both the coaches and the media, developed into one of the Bears' most consistent hitters after moving into the lead-off spot early in the season. The sophomore shortstop finished third on the team with a .301 batting average, while topping the SoCon and ranking among the nation's leaders with 42 walks this season.
Pittman served as Mercer's top left-handed option out of the bullpen again in 2015 and emerged as one of the SoCon's elite relievers. The Newnan, Ga. native led the league with a 2.75 ERA, while also ranking among the league leaders in opposing batting average (.243) and saves (3). Pittman, who was named the SoCon Pitcher of the Month in April, finished with 54 strikeouts this season including a career-high 11 in the Bears' series-opening win over Western Carolina.
Truitt had a breakout season as Mercer's everyday starter in right field. The freshman hit .259 with six home runs and 32 RBIs, while tying a SoCon record with three grand slams in 2015. Ware came on strong for the Bears midway through the season to finish second on the team with a .306 batting average. The leftfielder ranked third on the squad with 16 multiple-hit performances, while also tallying five home runs and 23 RBIs.
Mercer opens its inaugural Southern Conference Championship on Wednesday, May 20, as it will play the winner of the Citadel/ETSU game at Riley Park in Charleston. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Stay tuned to MercerBears.com for more details on the game.
