FRISCO, Texas –
Mitchell Sanford continued a streak after earning Southland Hitter of the Year as part of the Southland All-Conference baseball teams being released on Tuesday afternoon. Five Privateers made the list while three earned spots on the All-Defensive Team.
The Hitter of the Year title is the third straight won by a Privateer. Sanford joins Pearce Howard (2022) and
Tristan Moore (2023) as winners of the award on the Lakefront.
Sanford was recognized for both his offense and defense. The Berwick native finished the regular season with a .381 batting average, 20 doubles, 15 home runs and 67 RBI. He had 22 multi-hit games and 20 contests with two or more RBI. Sanford is one of five Privateers to have 60 or more RBI in a season in program history and one of two guys to do it multiple times, joining T.J. Baxter (2007 and 2008).
In addition to his offensive prowess, Sanford earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team in right field. His six assists were third most of any outfielder in the conference during the 2024 campaign.
Miguel Useche joined Sanford on the First Team and the All-Defensive Team. Useche cracked 21 doubles, which is tied for fifth most in a single season in program history. Useche is also one double away from tying the career mark set by Scott Schwaner in 1985. Useche hit .360 overall and .389 against conference foes.
Behind the plate, Useche had a .989 fielding percentage and did not have a passed ball charged to him during the entire season. He threw out nine base runners attempting to steal.
Colton Mercer and
Bryce Calloway joined the list of First Team selections. Mercer finished third in the conference in strikeouts during the season with 82 in 70.2 innings. He set a new career mark with 12 against Southeastern. Mercer also accrued six wins, one off a three-way tie for the league lead. His 3.67 ERA was fourth lowest among all qualified starters.
Calloway made a difference at the plate and has emerged on the mound late in the season. He hit .314 overall with eight home runs and 37 RBI in 45 games played. He had a .333 batting average against conference opponents and hit six of his eight homers against Southland foes. Calloway also collected two wins and two saves on the mound in eight appearances.
Diego Villescas earned a spot on the Second Team. Villescas hit .314 with nine doubles, six home runs and 27 RBI. He had an on-base percentage of .424 with 26 walks and seven hit by pitches. Villescas also finished the regular season as one of two Privateers with double digit stolen bases after he notched 10 in 11 attempts.
Dalton Hurst rounded out the trio of Privateers who earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team. Hurst only made one error all season and was in on 11 of the team's 40 double plays which led the Southland Conference this season. While Hurst played mostly at second, he also saw time at third base this season and had 104 chances in the field.
Blake Dean now has 41 Southland Postseason All-Southland selections in nine years. He also has five All-Defensive selections.
SUPERLATIVES
Player of the Year – Edgar Alvarez, Nicholls
Hitter of the Year –
Mitchell Sanford, New Orleans
Pitcher of the Year – Brooks Caple, Lamar
Relief Pitcher of the Year – Nico Saltaformaggio, Nicholls
Newcomer of the Year – Dalton Beck, UIW
Freshman of the Year – Larson Fabre, Southeastern
Coach of the Year – Will Davis, Lamar
FIRST TEAM
C –
Miguel Useche, New Orleans
1B – Edgar Alvarez, Nicholls
2B – Isaac Webb, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
SS – TJ Salvaggio, Southeastern
3B – Shea Thomas, Southeastern
OF –
Mitchell Sanford, New Orleans
OF – Samuel Benjamin, HCU
OF – Cooper Hext, McNeese
DH – Dalton Beck, UIW
UT –
Bryce Calloway, New Orleans
SP – Brooks Caple, Lamar
SP –
Colton Mercer, New Orleans
SP – Brennan Stuprich, Southeastern
RP – Nico Saltaformaggio, Nicholls
SECOND TEAM
C – Zak Skinner, Lamar
1B – Brayden Evans, Lamar
2B –
Diego Villescas, New Orleans
SS – Parker Coddou, Nicholls
3B – Sebastian Trinidad, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
OF – Reese Lipoma, Northwestern State
OF – Basiel Williams, Nicholls
OF – Cameron Caley, UIW
DH – River Orsak, Lamar
UT – Drake Anderson, Nicholls
SP – Matthew Watson, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
SP – Jacob Ellis, Lamar
SP – Hunter Hesseltine, Lamar
RP – Caleb Bunch, Northwestern State
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
C –
Miguel Useche, New Orleans
1B – Edgar Alvarez, Nicholls
2B –
Dalton Hurst, New Orleans
SS – Kanin Dodge, Lamar
3B – Rocco Gump, Northwestern State
CF – Connor Westenburg, McNeese
LF – Cooper Hext, McNeese
RF –
Mitchell Sanford, New Orleans
P – Cameron LeJeune, McNeese
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
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