ROCK HILL, S.C. - Anderson senior second baseman Ryan Saxon and junior third baseman Blake May each earned 2011 South Atlantic Baseball All-Conference honors, as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon.
Saxon ended his career at Anderson in the top five in two major offensive categories. The Landrum, S.C., native, ranks second on the career home run list and fourth on the career doubles list. He is also in the top ten on the career list at Anderson in hits and RBI. Saxon led the team last season with a .316 batting average and scored a team-high 35 runs, while ranking second on the squad in both slugging percentage (.492) and on-base percentage (.383).
"I was really glad to see Ryan get recognized for a good season," said Anderson head coach Joe Miller. "He has been a very solid player for four years and he's very deserving."
May posted a stellar .967 fielding percentage last season, committing just five errors while starting all 50 games for the Trojans. On the offensive side, he was fifth on the squad with a .274 batting average.
"Blake was also very deserving of the Gold Glove,' added Miller. "I don't think there's any question that he's the best defensive third baseman in the league."
Catawba coach Jim Gantt, who guided the Indians to their seventh conference title, was named Coach of the Year. Gantt, the conference's all-time leader in conference and overall victories, wins the award for the fifth time in his career.
Catawba third baseman Chris Dula, who ranked among the league leaders in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, RBIs and total bases, was named the Freshman of the Year.
Catawba relief pitcher Wil Huneycutt was named the Scholar-Athlete for baseball. He is a senior majoring in business and carries a 3.979 GPA.
McPherson led the conference with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs this season. He also led the conference in slugging percentage (.745), runs scored (60) and triples (5), and was second in batting average (.412) and total bases (152).
Lomascolo led the conference with a 2.45 ERA and opposing batters hit just .201 against him. He was second in total strikeouts with 79.
Catawba, Tusculum College and Lincoln Memorial University led the way with five All-Conference selections each. Catawba placed all five on the first team.
Catawba also took five spots on the Gold Glove team, which was also announced.
Huneycutt has been on the Dean's List for six semesters and the President's List twice. He was an Academic All-District selection last year. He is a Presidential Scholarship recipient, and a member of two honor societies.
He is a two-time first-team All-Conference selection, as well as a second-team All-Region performer last year. Over his career, he has posted a 10-2 record with nine saves.
He is a member of the Catawba Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and has volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank's Mobile Food Pantry, as well as helping to raise money for Make-A-Wish. He also serves as a tutor on campus, is active with Mission Baptist Church and is a volunteer coach with a Junior American Legion baseball team.
The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes one student-athlete in each of its 14 sports programs and represents a combination of athletic skill, academic achievement and participation in community service and leadership. The award is selected by the league's Faculty Athletic Representatives.
The awards will be presented Wednesday after the second game of the 2011 Food Lion SAC Baseball Tournament, which will be played at McNair Field in Forest City, N.C.
The South Atlantic Conference All-Conference and Gold Glove teams are selected by the league's head coaches.
Regular season statistical champions and senior awards were also announced.
2011 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
ALL-CONFERENCE BASEBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
Catcher - Sean Cotton, Tusculum
Pitcher - Nick Lomascolo, Catawba
Pitcher - JJ Jankowski, Catawba
Pitcher - Craig Goodman, Tusculum
Relief Pitcher - Wil Huneycutt, Catawba
First Baseman - Brian Yeung, Wingate
Second Baseman - Juan Alvarez, LMU
Shortstop - Michael Bueker, Mars Hill
Third Baseman - Chris Dula, Catawba
Outfielder - Dodson McPherson, Wingate
Outfielder - Alexi Colon, Tusculum
Outfielder - Cody Pack, LMU
Designated Hitter - Garrett Furr, Catawba
SECOND TEAM
Catcher - Brian Dice, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher - Austin Johnson, LMU
Pitcher - Justin Somers, Wingate
Pitcher - Dylan Hochevar, Tusculum
Relief Pitcher - Tyler Sturkie, Newberry
First Baseman - Randy O'Dell, Brevard
Second Baseman - Ryan Saxon, Anderson
Shortstop - Chris Love, Newberry
Third Baseman - John Couch, LMU
Outfielder - Michael Brittian, Mars Hill
Outfielder - Jon Dalton, Carson-Newman
Outfielder - Rolondo Bonner, Tusculum
Designated Hitter - Gelson Perez, LMU
COACH OF THE YEAR - Jim Gantt, Catawba
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Chris Dula, Catawba
PITCHER OF THE YEAR - Nick Lomascolo, Catawba
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Dodson McPherson, Wingate
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE - Wil Huneycutt, Catawba
GOLD GLOVE TEAM
Pitcher - Christian Hicks, Lenoir-Rhyne
Catcher - Josh Hohn, Catawba
First Base - Austin Moyer, Catawba
Second Base - Mike Gasque, Lenoir-Rhyne
Second Base - Julio Zubillaga, Catawba
Shortstop - Brett Underwood, Catawba
Third Base - Blake May, Anderson
Outfield - Cody Pack, Lincoln Memorial
Outfield - Cody Nix, Carson-Newman
Outfield - Ryan Bostian, Catawba
BASEBALL STAT CHAMPIONS
Batting Average - Michael Bueker, Mars Hill, .417
On-Base Percentage - Lukas Graves, Tusculum, .578
Slugging Percentage - Dodson McPherson, Wingate, .745
Home Runs Per Game - Dodson McPherson, Wingate, 0.30
RBIs Per Game - Dodson McPherson, Wingate, 1.44
Runs Scored Per Game - Rolondo Bonner, Tusculum, 1.22
Triples Per Game - Walton Shepherd, Lenoir-Rhyne, 0.11
Stolen Bases Per Game - Terrence Gray, Newberry, 0.44
Earned Run Average - Nick Lomascolo, Catawba, 2.45
Strikeouts Per Game - JJ Jankowski, Catawba, 11.12
Pitching Victories - Nick Lomascolo, Catawba, 8
Team Batting Average - Wingate, .332
Team Slugging Percentage - Wingate, .516
Triples Per Game - Wingate, 0.32
Doubles Per Game - Wingate, 2.60
Home Runs Per Game - Wingate, 1.10
RBIs Per Game - Lincoln Memorial, 8.00
Team On-Base Percentage - Tusculum, .433
Stolen Bases Per Game - Tusculum, 1.58
Team Earned Run Average - Catawba, 3.75
Strikeouts Per Game - Catawba, 8.54
