Dalley, Kersey Take Home Perfect Game Preseason Awards

MACON – Junior outfielder Ty Dalley and freshman infielder/right-handed pitcher Braydon Kersey took home preseason awards from Perfect Game in their Southern Conference preview, the publication announced yesterday. Dalley was named the SoCon preseason player of the year and Kersey was tabbed as the conference's preseason freshman of the year.

Dalley, who was tabbed as a preseason all-conference selection from Perfect Game earlier this week, enters the 2025 season as one of the most feared sluggers in the Southern Conference. Among returning players in the conference, Dalley ranked third in batting average (.316), first in home runs (21) and first in RBI (71) a year ago. A first team all-league pick in 2024, Dalley was named a top 300 prospect for the 2025 MLB Draft by Perfect Game in December.

Kersey arrives in Macon as a part of a talented freshman class that was ranked as the 57^th best 2024 recruiting class in the country by Perfect Game. The native of Alpharetta, Ga. was a standout at Alpharetta High School, earning First Team All-State honors at third base as a senior after hitting .413 with a 1.235 OPS, six home runs and 34 RBI. Kersey was also named Region Player of the Year for his efforts as a senior and broke a school record with 25 career doubles. Playing his travel baseball with USA Prime Scout Team, Kersey was ranked as the #11 hitter at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla. and earned Second Team All-American and class of 2024 national All-Tournament Team recognition from Perfect Game. Kersey will be a two-way player for the Bears, playing infield and pitching.

In addition to taking home two preseason awards, Mercer was well represented on Perfect Game's listings of the SoCon's top MLB Draft prospects. Among prospects eligible for the 2025 draft, Dalley (5^th) was joined by left-handed pitcher Jess Ackerman (11^th), right-handed pitcher Terry Busse (16^th) and first baseman Parker Lester (21^st). Outfielder Ely Brown (3^rd) represented the Bears on the ten-member list for the 2026 Draft. The Bears' talented freshman class saw three representatives on the ten-member list for 2027 in Kersey (1^st), right-handed pitcher/infielder Kai Decker (3^rd), and right-handed pitcher/outfielder Collin Ewaldsen (9^th).

The Bears open team practice tomorrow in preparation for the 2025 season opener on February 14, when they host Milwaukee at OrthoGeorgia Park. Season tickets can be purchased for as little as $110.

Dalley, Kersey Take Home Perfect Game Preseason Awards

Players Mentioned

Jess Ackerman

Ely Brown

Terry Busse

Ty Dalley

Kai Decker

Collin Ewaldsen

Braydon Kersey

Parker Lester

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