
Hagan Named Co-Player of the Year, Six Bears Earn All-SoCon Honors
5/22/2017 11:42:00 AM | Baseball
Ryan Hagan and head coach Craig Gibson receive conference awards
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer shortstop Ryan Hagan was named the Southern Conference Coaches' Co-Player of the Year and six total Bears earned postseason honors as the All-SoCon teams were announced by the league office Monday morning.
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Mercer has had six individuals earn All-SoCon postseason awards in each of the three years the Bears have been affiliated with the league. Mercer has also had at least a share of the Player of the Year award all three years, as Hagan joins former two-time player of the year Kyle Lewis. The Bears had a league-best four first-team selections on the coaches' team and three on the media team.
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Head coach Craig Gibson was named the SoCon Coach of the Year for the second time in his career after leading the Bears to their third consecutive SoCon regular season title and eighth straight year with 35 or more wins.
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"This is a great honor for Ryan [Hagan] and now gives us three player of the year awards in our three years in the league," Gibson said. "It speaks to our program and the development of our players throughout their careers. I'm very excited for our other award winners – JT [Thomas], Danny [Edgeworth], [Robert] Broom and Alex Crotty – they are all deserving and add unbelievable talent to our team."
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SS Ryan Hagan, Co-Player of the Year (Coaches), First Team (Coaches and Media)
Hagan led Mercer in postseason accolades, claiming a share of the coaches poll's Co-Player of the Year award and earning First Team shortstop honors in both polls. The senior overcame a slow start to the season with a scorching conference slate, batting .389 with 26 runs, 18 RBIs and seven home runs in conference play. Hagan ended the regular season with a .298 average, 54 runs scored and 24 stolen bases while hitting primarily in Mercer's leadoff slot.
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RP Robert Broom, First Team (Coaches and Media)
Broom was recognized as the top relief pitcher in the SoCon with First Team accolades in both the coaches and media polls. The sophomore side-winder went 8-1 with a 2.05 ERA in 57 innings pitched while establishing himself as one of the league's most lethal weapons on the mound.
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Broom additionally struck out 75 batters and stifled opposing batters with a .188 batting average against for the season. He was even more dominant against SoCon teams, owning a 1.07 ERA in 25.1 innings of work.
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DH JT Thomas, First Team (Coaches and Media)
Thomas made an instant impact in his first season with the Bears, starting 52 of 53 total games while leading the team with a .345 batting average and 55 RBIs. His 30 extra-base hits were highlighted by a conference-leading 18 doubles as he provided a consistent source of power toward the top of Mercer's lineup. Thomas also owned a staggering .447 on-base percentage, totaling 68 hits and 22 walks.
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2B Danny Edgeworth, First Team (Coaches), Second Team (Media)
A career-best senior campaign earned Edgeworth his first All-SoCon postseason honors, as he was named to the coaches poll first team and media poll second team. Edgeworth batted .343 for the season with 46 RBIs and made a successful switch to second base defensively mid-season. He led Mercer with 70 hits and also hit eight home runs.
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3B Alex Crotty, All-Freshman Team
Crotty batted .307 with 13 RBIs and a .419 on-base percentage in 36 games played, primarily at third base after Edgeworth moved to second base. The freshman started 20 of those 36 games and collected 27 hits, including his first career home run. The switch-hitter was consistent throughout SoCon action, hitting .308 with four extra-base hits.
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Follow The Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Baseball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBaseball (Twitter), /MercerBaseball (Facebook) and @Mercer.Baseball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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2017 SoCon Baseball Coaches All-Southern Conference Teams
Player of the Year – Ryan Hagan, Sr., SS, Mercer
Player of the Year – Bryson Bowman, R-Sr., OF, Western Carolina
Pitcher of the Year – JP Sears, Jr., LHP, The Citadel
Freshman of the Year – Caleb Webster, 3B, UNCG
Coach of the Year – Craig Gibson, Mercer
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First Team
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JP Sears, The Citadel
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Will Gaddis, Furman
RPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Robert Broom, Mercer
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hagen Owenby, ETSU
1BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Hash, Wofford
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Danny Edgeworth, Mercer
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nobu Suzuki, Western Carolina
SSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ryan Hagan, Mercer
3BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Caleb Webster, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Andrew Moritz, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tyler Tharp, VMI
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryson Bowman, Western Carolina
DHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JT Thomas, Mercer
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Second Team
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Josh Winder, VMI
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryan Sammons, Western Carolina
RPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wyatt Burns, Samford
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Carson Waln, Wofford
1BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brandon Elmy, Furman
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Troy Dixon, Samford
SSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Pope, Western Carolina
3BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jonathan Sabo, The Citadel
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Carter Grote, Furman
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ben Spitznagel, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â McClain Bradley, Wofford
DHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cesar Trejo, UNCG
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All-Freshman Team
Will Abbott, The Citadel
Bryce Leasure, The Citadel
Cullen Smith, ETSU
Dillon Love, Furman
Alex Crotty, Mercer
Caleb Webster, UNCG
Branden Fryman, Samford
Taylor Garris, Samford
Anthony Mulrine, Samford
Ayrton Schafer, Samford
Andrew Robinson, Western Carolina
Matt Ellmyer, Wofford
Brett Rodriguez, Wofford
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2017 SoCon Sports Media Association Baseball All-Conference Teams
Player of the Year – Bryson Bowman, R-Sr., OF, Western Carolina
Pitcher of the Year – JP Sears, Jr., LHP, The Citadel
Freshman of the Year – Caleb Webster, 3B, UNCG
Coach of the Year – Craig Gibson, Mercer
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First Team
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JP Sears, The Citadel
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Will Gaddis, Furman
RPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Robert Broom, Mercer
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hagen Owenby, ETSU
1BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Hash, Wofford
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nobu Suzuki, Western Carolina
SSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ryan Hagan, Mercer
3BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Caleb Webster, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Andrew Moritz, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tyler Tharp, VMI
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryson Bowman, Western Carolina
DHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JT Thomas, Mercer
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Second Team
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Josh Winder, VMI
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryan Sammons, Western Carolina
RPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wyatt Burns, Samford
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Carson Waln, Wofford
1BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brandon Elmy, Furman
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Danny Edgeworth, Mercer
SSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Pope, Western Carolina
3BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Taylor Garris, Samford
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Carter Grote, Furman
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ben Spitznagel, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â McClain Bradley, Wofford
DHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cody Miller, Wofford
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Mercer has had six individuals earn All-SoCon postseason awards in each of the three years the Bears have been affiliated with the league. Mercer has also had at least a share of the Player of the Year award all three years, as Hagan joins former two-time player of the year Kyle Lewis. The Bears had a league-best four first-team selections on the coaches' team and three on the media team.
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Head coach Craig Gibson was named the SoCon Coach of the Year for the second time in his career after leading the Bears to their third consecutive SoCon regular season title and eighth straight year with 35 or more wins.
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"This is a great honor for Ryan [Hagan] and now gives us three player of the year awards in our three years in the league," Gibson said. "It speaks to our program and the development of our players throughout their careers. I'm very excited for our other award winners – JT [Thomas], Danny [Edgeworth], [Robert] Broom and Alex Crotty – they are all deserving and add unbelievable talent to our team."
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SS Ryan Hagan, Co-Player of the Year (Coaches), First Team (Coaches and Media)
Hagan led Mercer in postseason accolades, claiming a share of the coaches poll's Co-Player of the Year award and earning First Team shortstop honors in both polls. The senior overcame a slow start to the season with a scorching conference slate, batting .389 with 26 runs, 18 RBIs and seven home runs in conference play. Hagan ended the regular season with a .298 average, 54 runs scored and 24 stolen bases while hitting primarily in Mercer's leadoff slot.
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RP Robert Broom, First Team (Coaches and Media)
Broom was recognized as the top relief pitcher in the SoCon with First Team accolades in both the coaches and media polls. The sophomore side-winder went 8-1 with a 2.05 ERA in 57 innings pitched while establishing himself as one of the league's most lethal weapons on the mound.
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Broom additionally struck out 75 batters and stifled opposing batters with a .188 batting average against for the season. He was even more dominant against SoCon teams, owning a 1.07 ERA in 25.1 innings of work.
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DH JT Thomas, First Team (Coaches and Media)
Thomas made an instant impact in his first season with the Bears, starting 52 of 53 total games while leading the team with a .345 batting average and 55 RBIs. His 30 extra-base hits were highlighted by a conference-leading 18 doubles as he provided a consistent source of power toward the top of Mercer's lineup. Thomas also owned a staggering .447 on-base percentage, totaling 68 hits and 22 walks.
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2B Danny Edgeworth, First Team (Coaches), Second Team (Media)
A career-best senior campaign earned Edgeworth his first All-SoCon postseason honors, as he was named to the coaches poll first team and media poll second team. Edgeworth batted .343 for the season with 46 RBIs and made a successful switch to second base defensively mid-season. He led Mercer with 70 hits and also hit eight home runs.
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3B Alex Crotty, All-Freshman Team
Crotty batted .307 with 13 RBIs and a .419 on-base percentage in 36 games played, primarily at third base after Edgeworth moved to second base. The freshman started 20 of those 36 games and collected 27 hits, including his first career home run. The switch-hitter was consistent throughout SoCon action, hitting .308 with four extra-base hits.
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Follow The Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Baseball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBaseball (Twitter), /MercerBaseball (Facebook) and @Mercer.Baseball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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2017 SoCon Baseball Coaches All-Southern Conference Teams
Player of the Year – Ryan Hagan, Sr., SS, Mercer
Player of the Year – Bryson Bowman, R-Sr., OF, Western Carolina
Pitcher of the Year – JP Sears, Jr., LHP, The Citadel
Freshman of the Year – Caleb Webster, 3B, UNCG
Coach of the Year – Craig Gibson, Mercer
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First Team
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JP Sears, The Citadel
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Will Gaddis, Furman
RPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Robert Broom, Mercer
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hagen Owenby, ETSU
1BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Hash, Wofford
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Danny Edgeworth, Mercer
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nobu Suzuki, Western Carolina
SSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ryan Hagan, Mercer
3BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Caleb Webster, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Andrew Moritz, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tyler Tharp, VMI
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryson Bowman, Western Carolina
DHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JT Thomas, Mercer
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Second Team
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Josh Winder, VMI
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryan Sammons, Western Carolina
RPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wyatt Burns, Samford
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Carson Waln, Wofford
1BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brandon Elmy, Furman
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Troy Dixon, Samford
SSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Pope, Western Carolina
3BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Jonathan Sabo, The Citadel
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Carter Grote, Furman
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ben Spitznagel, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â McClain Bradley, Wofford
DHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cesar Trejo, UNCG
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All-Freshman Team
Will Abbott, The Citadel
Bryce Leasure, The Citadel
Cullen Smith, ETSU
Dillon Love, Furman
Alex Crotty, Mercer
Caleb Webster, UNCG
Branden Fryman, Samford
Taylor Garris, Samford
Anthony Mulrine, Samford
Ayrton Schafer, Samford
Andrew Robinson, Western Carolina
Matt Ellmyer, Wofford
Brett Rodriguez, Wofford
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2017 SoCon Sports Media Association Baseball All-Conference Teams
Player of the Year – Bryson Bowman, R-Sr., OF, Western Carolina
Pitcher of the Year – JP Sears, Jr., LHP, The Citadel
Freshman of the Year – Caleb Webster, 3B, UNCG
Coach of the Year – Craig Gibson, Mercer
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First Team
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JP Sears, The Citadel
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Will Gaddis, Furman
RPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Robert Broom, Mercer
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Hagen Owenby, ETSU
1BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Hash, Wofford
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nobu Suzuki, Western Carolina
SSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ryan Hagan, Mercer
3BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Caleb Webster, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Andrew Moritz, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tyler Tharp, VMI
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryson Bowman, Western Carolina
DHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â JT Thomas, Mercer
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Second Team
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Josh Winder, VMI
SPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Bryan Sammons, Western Carolina
RPÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wyatt Burns, Samford
CÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Carson Waln, Wofford
1BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brandon Elmy, Furman
2BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Danny Edgeworth, Mercer
SSÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Brett Pope, Western Carolina
3BÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Taylor Garris, Samford
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Carter Grote, Furman
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ben Spitznagel, UNCG
OFÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â McClain Bradley, Wofford
DHÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cody Miller, Wofford
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Players Mentioned
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