Baseball adds All-Conference honors to end their season
WEST POINT, Ga. (May 3, 2023)- The Appalachian Athletic Conference announced the All-Conference honors for baseball on Wednesday, May 3. Multiple Players on the baseball team received recognition in the following categories: Second Team All-Conference, Champions of Character Award, and the All-Academic Team.
Second Team All-Conference: Alex Marquand
The Junior from Columbus, Georgia, stepped into a significant role of becoming a player in the lineup to help get the momentum going. Marquand’s versatility saw him play multiple positions including Catcher and First Base. His impact on the field was felt from start to finish as he knew to be patient at-bat and take it one pitch at a time which served him well. He could turn a no-hit game into putting the Skyhawks on the scoreboard in a quick second. Marquand’s hitting helped the Skyhawks break their previous record of 40 home runs to end this season with 42. Alex Marquand’s growth on the field was displayed through the numbers as he finished with a batting average of .359, 56 hits, 18 runs, 36 RBIs, six home runs, .470 On Base Percentage and a .506 slugging percentage. Marquand’s cool, calm, and collected personality off the field is much different from the firepower he provides on the field, and can now add being a Second Team All-Conference Player to his resume.
Second Team All-Conference: Jhamante Woods
The Junior from Portland, Oregon, was motivated from the beginning to help do extraordinary things on the field for the Skyhawks. Woods had a demeanor to punish the pitchers each time he came up to bat, which added to him leading the team in home runs on the season with 12. The Skyhawks needed players with prior experience to step up, and Woods served his purpose by doing just that while improving his numbers from the year before. Mante Woods finished with a .348 batting average, 27 runs, 39 hits, four doubles, 12 home runs, 41 RBIs, .427 On Base Percentage and a .705 slugging percentage. The dangers of seeing Woods coming up to bat with the thought that he could hit the ball out of the park at any moment can put fear into opponents. With his solid year, being an All-Conference player is now a part of his collegiate resume.
Second Team All-Conference: Kaleb Podger
The Junior from Columbus, Georgia, was a new face at Point University that was not shy about making his impact known and showing his worth on the field. Kaleb Podger, who was previously an NJCAA Player of the Year in the GCAA while being an All-American, continued his story at Point University by adding excitement to the Skyhawk Baseball program. Podger is a humble player who talks about his accomplishments but also knows what he brings to the team each time he steps on the field. Podger had games where he was the starting left fielder, along with games where he was strictly the designated hitter. Earlier in the season, Podger won AAC Player of the Week after helping Point go 3-1, where he contributed with a 1.263 slugging percentage, three home runs, four doubles, nine runs, and eight RBIs. Kaleb Podger continued to bring excitement to Point Baseball as he helped the team move into receiving votes after taking down a #25-ranked Faulkner University at the time, along with a #19-ranked Bryan College in the weekend series. Podger can now add being an All-Conference Player as a Skyhawk to his collegiate resume.
Champions of Character: Ben Beasley
When bringing up the five core values of respect, integrity, responsibility, servant leadership, and sportsmanship, Ben Beasley fits the mold of each matter. The Junior pitcher from Comer, Georgia, is a player respected by his peers along with the coaching staff and has the will to represent the Skyhawk community most positively. Beasley also appeared on the mound, with four strikeouts with an ERA of 4.26. Beasley’s ways of serving the community did not go unnoticed, as he contributed to helping the West Point, Ga community after a severe storm. Ben Beasley is the perfect choice for an award like this and is commended by anyone he encounters.
AAC All-Academic Team
Adam Barnett
Ben Beasley
Brett Campbell
Daniel Crabtree
JR Curley
Carson Curry
Miguel Fernandez
Salter Greene
Chad Hillsman
Nathaniel Karvelas
Bryce Koshko
Alex Marquand
Sage McWaters
Hunter Meadows
Vincent Pirozzi
Kaleb Podger
Justin Robinson
Reed Tarleton
Hudson Volk
Tyler Wilson