A resurgent Rice Baseball season was made possible by an array of impressive individual performances, several of which were recognized by the conference this week.
It took a few weekends for transfer Tanner Wiggins, who transferred to Rice Baseball from Tennessee this past season, to earn his way into the weekend rotation. Not only did he do that, but he fought his way into the Friday night role where he excelled, posting a 4.02 ERA in 10 starts and the Owls’ only complete game shutout of the season. Wiggins was recognized Tuesday as the American Conference Newcomer Pitcher of the Year.
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Wiggins was one of five Owls to be honored. Joining him as All-Conference second team honorees were fellow pitchers Ryland Urbanczyk and Ty Thames, as well as second baseman JC Davis. Thames double-dipped as a selection to the All-Freshman team as well, where he was joined by fellow Owl Ethan Sanders.
Additional distinctions:
- Outfielder Drew Detlesfsen (UTSA) – Player of the Year
- Pitcher Conor Myles (UTSA) – Pitcher of the Year
- Infielder Jayson Jones (Wichita State) – Newcomer Position Player of the Year
- Pitcher Tanner Wiggins (Rice) – Newcomer Pitcher of the Year
- Infielder Jevin Relaford (South Florida) – Defensive Player of the Year
The complete list of all conference selections are as follows:
All-Conference First Team
P – Ethan Norby, Jr., East Carolina
P – James Litman, So., Florida Atlantic
P – Conor Myles, Grad, UTSA*
RP – Joseph Webb, Sr., East Carolina
RP – Sam Simmons, Sr., UTSA
C – Andrew Stucky, Grad, UTSA*
1B – Caden Miller, So., UTSA*
2B – Braden Burress, So., East Carolina
SS – Jevin Relaford, Sr., South Florida*
3B – Jayson Jones, Sr., Wichita State
OF – JP Head, So., UAB
OF – Drew Detlefsen, Sr., UTSA
OF – Jason Wachs, So., Tulane
DH – Dylan Koontz, Grad, Charlotte
UTL – Max Price, R-Jr., UAB
All-Conference Second Team
P – Ryland Urbanczyk, R-Jr., Rice
P – Connor Kelley, Jr., UTSA
P – Matthew Cuccias, Jr., Wichita State
RP – Ty Thames, Fr., Rice
RP – Brady Pacha, Grad, Wichita State
C – Lance Trippel, Sr., South Florida
1B – Cody Gunderson, Sr., Charlotte
2B – JC Davis, Jr., Rice
SS – Javon Hernandez, Grad, Memphis
3B – Nick Romano, R-Sr., Florida Atlantic
OF – Alec DeMartino, Grad, Charlotte
OF – Todd Hudson, Sr., Charlotte
OF – Jack Herring, Sr., East Carolina
DH – Landon Beaver, So., UAB
UTL – Matt Rose, Sr., South Florida
All-Freshman Team
Austin Pierzynski, C, UAB
Baylor Roberts, SS, UAB
Carter Samuelson, P, UAB
Grady Lenahan, OF, East Carolina
Ethan Rose, P, East Carolina
Ethan Sanders, P, Rice
Ty Thames, P, Rice
Jack Lutz, 3B, South Florida
Dominic Pontbriant, P, South Florida
Michael Senay, P, South Florida*
** Photo credit: Maria Lysaker **