Yeager Named a Finalist for The Brooks Wallace Award

LUBBOCK, Texas – Mercer's RJ Yeager was one of six NCAA Division I shortstops selected as finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, the College Baseball Foundation announced Wednesday.

The award, sponsored by Mizuno, honors the nation's top shortstop and will be presented this summer by the College Baseball Foundation. It is named for former Texas Tech shortstop Brooks Wallace, who played for the Red Raiders from 1977 to 1980. Wallace died of leukemia at the age of 27.

The six finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award are senior Liam Spence from Tennessee, junior RJ Yeager, sophomores Trey Sweeney from Eastern Illinois and Collin Burns from Tulane, and redshirt freshmen Cal Conley from Texas Tech and Brooks Lee from Cal Poly.

Evidence of that talented group of players is apparent in this year's finalists – the six best shortstops in the nation who represent both national powerhouses and outstanding mid-majors, all of whom put together outstanding seasons.

"I cannot think of a more deserving player for this award," stated head coach Craig Gibson. "RJ is the ultimate teammate, a talented and unselfish Individual who places the team above himself. He has been the leader of the team on and off the field."

Since arriving at Mercer, Yeager has started in every contest at shortstop for the Bears, which is now at 197 games. During the 2021 season, he has started 57 games and has been a leader who helped guide the Bears to a 35-22 mark making it the 11^th straight season Mercer has won at least 35 games.

Yeager is no stranger to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List after being a candidate for the award in 2018. He hit .308 with 13 home runs and finished second on the team with 50 RBI. He has an on-base percentage of .363 and has stolen 10 bases. Out of his 72 hits, 32 have been for extra-bases. Yeager has hit 28 career home runs the second most on the active career list for the Bears.

In the field, Yeager has a fielding percentage of .969 with 72 putouts and 145 assists. His batting average, RBI, home run, doubles, and field percentages are all career-highs.

"It's an honor to be named as a Brooks Wallace Award Finalist," remarked Yeager. "College baseball has played a significant role in my life and it's always been a goal of mine to be mentioned in this category. This is such a prestigious award and I'm very blessed."

Following the 2021 regular season, Yeager was voted All-SoCon First Team at shortstop.

In 2018, Yeager was named an NCBW Freshman All-American, a Perfect Game/Rawlings Freshman All-America second team selection and to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List. He was also selected as the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year.

For more information on the Brooks Wallace Award visit www.collegebaseballhall.org.

Name	School	Conference	Class
Collin Burns	Tulane	AAC	RS-Soph.
Cal Conley	Texas Tech	Big 12	RS-Fr.
Brooks Lee	Cal Poly	Big West	RS-Fr.
Trey Sweeney	Eastern Illinois	Ohio Valley	Soph.
Liam Spence	Tennessee	SEC	Sr.
RJ Yeager	Mercer	Southern	Jr.

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Yeager Named a Finalist for The Brooks Wallace Award

Players Mentioned

RJ Yeager

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