Southeastern Louisiana’s Fisher Named Southland Baseball Player of the Year
FRISCO, Texas - Southeastern Louisiana junior first baseman Jameson Fisher has been named the Southland Conference Player of the Year by a vote of the league's head coaches and sports information directors, the conference announced Monday in conjunction with the release of its all-conference teams.
Lamar junior outfielder Reid Russel was tabbed the conference's hitter of the year while Northwestern State junior right-hander Adam Oller was named the conference's pitcher of the year. Southeastern junior right-hander Kade Granier was named the Southland relief pitcher of the year and the Lions landed outfielder Brennan Breaud as the conference's freshman of the year. Stephen F. Austin junior outfielder Zac Michener was tabbed newcomer of the year. Sam Houston State head coach Matt Deggs was named the Clay Gould Coach of the Year in his second season at the helm for the Bearkats.
Fisher ranked among the Southland's top-seven players in 10 different categories. The junior from Zachary, La. (Zachary H.S.), ranked first in batting average (.449), slugging percentage (.730), on base percentage (.577) and walks (47), second in hits (80), runs batted in (60) and total bases (130). Fisher finished third in doubles (16) and home runs (10), and seventh in runs scored (46). His batting average and on base percentage are the best in the nation, leading all NCAA Division I programs.
Lamar's Russell completed the regulars season leading the league in RBIs (62), home runs (18) and total bases (138). He boasted a .363 batting average along with a .678 slugging percentage. The Longview, Texas (Longview H.S.), native was flawless in the infield posting a 1.000 fielding percentage in 52 games for the Cardinals. The junior transfer scored 40 runs off 73 hits in 201 at bats this season. Russell's offensive efforts helped lead his team to a .302 overall team batting average and a league-best .469 slugging percentage. His 18 home runs tied a school record for single-season home runs. He's the first Cardinal to get to 60 RBIs since 2007.
Oller's pitching was dominate as he posted a league-low 1.31 ERA while holding opponents to a .207 batting average in 102.2 innings pitched. The Conroe, Texas (Concordia Lutheran H.S), native struck out 67 batters including 20 opponents who were caught looking, He picked up a team-high eight wins and held off big hitters giving up just one triple and two home runs throughout the regular season. Oller collected quality starts in 12 of his 14 outings this season that ranks him fifth nationally in ERA.
Southeastern boasted two more individual awards with sophomore right-hander Granier posting a 4-1 record in 19 appearances. The Destrehan, La. (Destrahan H.S.), struck out 29 batters in 32.2 innings pitched while posting a 0.83 ERA holding opponents to a .198 batting average.
Joining Fisher and Granier from the Lions is rookie infielder Breaud. The Norco, La. (Destrahan H.S.), native hit .288 in 198 at bats. Breaud racked up 53 runs on 57 hits and 26 walks. He drove in 25 RBIs while posting a .415 on base percentage throughout the season. Breaud stole a team-best 19 bases.
Stephen F. Austin's Michener hit .340 in 188 at bats for the Lumberjacks. The Kennedale, Texas (Kennedale H.S.), native scored 39 runs off of 64 hits and 31 walks while tallying 92 totally bases. The junior outfielder drove in 32 RBIs while posting a .962 fielding percentage.
The Wildcat's junior utility player Crippen has played first base, second base, third base and in the outfield during the season, and he also pitched during his freshman season in 2014. Crippen has started 12 games at first base, 13 at second base, 10 at third base, seven in right field and four as the designated hitter. He leads the Wildcats with a .309 batting average, three home runs and has 19 RBI. Crippen is also the Wildcats' active leader in career RBI and home runs.
After guiding the Bearkats to their fifth regular-season title, Deggs was tabbed the Southland Conference coach of the year. Sam Houston state finished 24-6 in conference play and 37-19 overall to earn the No. 1 seed heading into the conference tournament later this week.
Nine schools placed student-athletes on the three all-conference teams, including Southeastern, New Orleans, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, McNeese, Central Arkansas, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State and Nicholls. The Lions led all teams with nine selection with three first-team, two second-team and four third-team picks. Lamar has five selections including four first-team spots. McNeese, New Orleans and Stephen F. Austin each have four, Central Arkansas, Northwestern State and Sam Houston State each have three selections while Nicholls landed one all-conference selection.
Another 13 student-athletes earned honorable mention after earning votes from at least 25 percent of the league's coaches and sports information directors.
Nine of the 36 all-conference players were repeat selections with Northwestern State's Adam Oller claiming his third all-conference appearance.
The 2016 Southland Conference Baseball Tournament gets underway Wednesday at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas.
For the second consecutive season, every game of the Southland Conference Baseball Tournament will be carried live by ESPN3. The winner of the 2016 tournament receives an automatic qualification to the NCAA tournament. The selection show airs Monday, May 30 at 11 a.m., CT, on ESPNU.
Tickets are available for purchase at the Constellation Field box office, by phone at 281-240-4487 and online at
sugarlandskeeters.com. Online orders are subject to a $2 service charge per ticket.
Tournament Ticket Options:
All-Session Ticket: $60
Single Day Ticket: $18
Children 5 and Under: Free
Students at Southland Conference Institutions: Free
(with valid ID)
2016 Southland All-Conference Teams
| First Team |
|
|
|
| Pos. |
Name |
University |
Class |
Hometown |
| 1B |
Jameson Fisher |
Southeastern La. |
R-Jr. |
Zachary, La. |
| 2B |
Carson Crites |
Southeastern La. |
Jr. |
Amarillo, Texas |
| 3B |
Kyle Thornell2 |
Stephen F. Austin |
Sr. |
Magnolia, Texas |
| SS |
Stijn van der Meer2 |
Lamar |
Sr. |
Rosmalen, Netherlands |
| OF |
Reid Russell |
Lamar |
Jr. |
Longview, Texas |
| OF |
Garrett McMullen |
Stephen F. Austin |
R-Sr. |
Longview, Texas |
| OF |
Conner Fikes |
Stephen F. Austin |
R-Jr. |
Rowlett, Texas |
| C |
Bryndan Arredondo |
Lamar |
Jr. |
Lubbock, Texas |
| C |
Kyle Bracey |
New Orleans |
Sr. |
Amite, La. |
| DH |
Hezekiah Randolph |
New Orleans |
Jr. |
Baton Rouge, La. |
| P |
Adam Oller3 |
Northwestern State |
Jr. |
Conroe, Texas |
| P |
Will Hibbs |
Lamar |
Sr. |
Friendswood, Texas |
| P |
Mac Sceroler |
Southeastern La. |
So. |
Denham Springs, La. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Second Team |
|
|
|
| Pos. |
Name |
University |
Class |
Hometown |
| 1B |
Connor Crane2 |
McNeese State |
Sr. |
Parker, Colo. |
| 2B |
David Fry2 |
Northwestern State |
So. |
Colleyville, Texas |
| 3B |
Dakota Dean |
New Orleans |
Jr. |
Crestview, Fla. |
| SS |
Aaron Palmer |
New Orleans |
Jr. |
Jesup, Ga. |
| OF |
Bryce Johnson |
Sam Houston State |
So. |
Cypress, Texas |
| OF |
Lewis Guilbeau |
McNeese State |
Sr. |
Austin, Texas |
| OF |
Webb Bobo |
Southeastern La. |
Jr. |
Prattville, Ala. |
| DH |
Kyle Knauth |
Nicholls |
So. |
Slidell, La. |
| P |
Domenick Carlini |
Southeastern La. |
Sr. |
Nesbit, Miss |
| P |
Kaleb Fontenot |
McNeese State |
Sr. |
Ville Platte, La. |
| P |
Heath Donica |
Sam Houston State |
Jr. |
Corsicana, Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
| Third Team |
|
|
|
| Pos. |
Name |
University |
Class |
Hometown |
| 1B |
Jake Nash |
Lamar |
Sr. |
Palestine, Texas |
| 2B |
Chris Townsend |
Central Arkansas |
Sr. |
Batesville, Miss. |
| 3B |
Logan Preston |
Central Arkansas |
Sr. |
Texarkana, Texas |
| SS |
Brennan Breaud |
Southeastern La. |
Fr. |
Norco, La. |
| OF |
Tyler Langley2 |
Central Arkansas |
Sr. |
Conway, Ark. |
| OF |
Zac Michener |
Stephen F. Austin |
Jr. |
Kennedale, Texas |
| OF |
Nick Heath |
Northwestern State |
R-Jr. |
Junction City, Kan. |
| C |
Sam Roberson |
Southeastern La. |
R-Sr. |
Dallas, Texas |
| DH |
Daniel Midyett2 |
Southeastern La. |
Sr. |
Shreveport, La. |
| P |
Kyle Cedotal2 |
Southeastern La. |
Sr. |
Denham Springs, La. |
| P |
Collin Kober2 |
McNeese State |
Jr. |
Lake Charles, La. |
| P |
Riley Gossett |
Sam Houston State |
Fr. |
Cypress, Texas |
2Two-Time All-Conference Selection
3Three-Time All-Conference Selection
Honorable Mention - First Base: None. Second Base: Nicholas Ramos, Stephen F. Austin. Third Base: None. Shortstop: Tyler Kendrick, Stephen F. Austin. Outfield: Jacob Seward, Southeastern La.; Zacaries Hardy, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; Jacoby Middleton, Lamar; Gavin Wehby, Nicholls; Zack Gibson Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Catcher: Daniel Garner, Northwestern State. Designated Hitter: Austin Nelson, McNeese State. Pitcher: Dylan Zarosky, Houston Baptist; Jimmy Johnson, Lamar; Daniel Martinez, New Orleans; Aaron Mason, Abilene Christian.
2016 Southland Conference Individual Awards
Player of the Year: Jameson Fisher, Southeastern Louisiana
Hitter of the Year: Reid Russell, Lamar
Pitcher of the Year: Adam Oller, Northwestern State
Relief Pitcher of the Year: Kade Granier, Southeastern Louisiana
Freshman of the Year: Brennan Breaud, Southeastern Louisiana
Newcomer of the Year: Zac Michener, Stephen F. Austin
Utility Player of the Year: Russell Crippen, Abilene Christian
Clay Gould Coach of the Year: Matt Deggs, Sam Houston State