Phillips, Four Other Highlanders Receive GCAA All-Region 17 Baseball Honors
Gordon State placed five student-athletes on the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) / All-Region 17 baseball first and second teams as outfielder Cole Phillips was selected to the first team while pitchers Preston Felt and Davis Swenson, infielder Ethan Scott and outfielder Blaze O’Saben were named to the second team for the 2021 season.
Phillips (So. / Trion, Ga. / Trion High School) is hitting .322 with a team-high 15 homers, 57 RBI and 44 runs scored while slugging .690 and producing an on-base percentage of .392.
Felt (So. / Buford, Ga. / Flowery Branch High School) has compiled a 3-0 record with two saves in 28.1 innings of work while posting a 4.45 earned-run-average and recording 30 strikeouts for the Highlanders.
Swenson (Fr. / Toccoa, Ga. / Stephens County High School) has posted a 3-4 record with a 3.98 ERA in 54.1 innings on the mound while striking out 63 batters for GSC.
Scott (So. / Augusta, Ga. / Aquinas High School) hit .389 during the regular season with five homers, 26 runs scored, 18 RBI and stole two bases. Scott is slugging .642 and has an on-base percentage of .500.
O’Saben (RSo. / Warrenton, Va. / Fauquier High School) has nine home runs to go along with 48 runs, 38 RBI, five stolen bases and a .392 batting average. O’Saben’s slugging percentage sits at .665 while his on-base percentage is .470.
As selected by the GCAA baseball head coaches, here is the complete breakdown of the All-Region first and second teams, Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Gold Glove team for 2021 season.
Player of the Year – Kaleb Podger, Andrew College
Pitcher of the Year -- Johnny Dow, Georgia Highlands College
Defensive Player of the Year – Jacob Pierce, Andrew College
Coach of the Year – Dash O'Neil, Georgia Highlands College
First Team
Outfielders – Kaleb Podger, Andrew College; Jacob Pierce, Andrew Colllege; Cole Phillips, Gordon State
Infielders – CJ Rose, ABAC; Palmer Sapp, GHC; Joe Sutton, GHC; Conner Strickland, East Georgia State
Catcher – David Smith, GHC
Designated Hitter – Jack Hay, Andrew College
Pitchers – Johnny Dow, GHC; Conner Perry, GHC
Closer -- Griffin McClure, East Georgia State
Second Team
Outfielders – Conner Todaro, GHC; Blaze O'Saben, Gordon State; Garrett Bradley, ABAC
Infielders – Jacob Edwards, Andrew College; Henry Daniels, ABAC; Sam Bennett, ABAC; Ethan Scott, Gordon State
Catcher -- Ian King, South Georgia State
Designated Hitter – Ty Jackson, East Georgia State
Pitchers – Davis Swenson, Gordon State; Luke Cooper, South Georgia State
Closer – Preston Felt, Gordon State
Gold Glove Team
Catcher -- David Smith, GHC
First Base – Conner Strickland, East Georgia State
Second Base – Jacob Edwards, Andrew College
Shortstop – Ryan Smith, ABAC
Third Base – Guy Anderberg, East Georgia State
Outfielders – Conner Todaro, GHC; Jacob Pierce, Andrew College; Kaleb Podger, Andrew College
Pitcher -- Jonah Stout, Andrew College