MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - With the championship round of the SAA Tournament looming, Berry baseball has stampeded the All-SAA ballots this season with a total of seven athletes being selected to the all-conference squads.
Riley Uhls slugged his way into an All-SAA First Team honor after an unbelievable year in the batter's box for the Vikings. Uhls fired off a team-leading 68 hits to earn the honor. His 68 hits are on pace to be one of the best single-season marks in Berry College D3 history. The Kentucky native also led the Vikings in home runs with 7 and doubles with 17. The star junior racked up a conference-leading 70 RBI, which also breaks the single-season record for RBI in Berry D3 history. To cap off the terrific season, the first baseman maintained a 99% fielding percentage, solidifying himself as a premier talent in the conference.
Fifth year senior Nick Brunswick earned his way to his third consecutive all-conference honor with a First Team All-SAA nod. The reliable right fielder did his typical damage to opposing pitchers, with 54 total hits, including 12 extra-base hits and 3 home runs. The Acworth, Georgia, native also bought in 45 runs while scoring 47 of his own. The early order slugger had his best game this season in the Vikings' opening weekend series with Emory, where he scored a single-game school record 6 runs and pushed through 3 RBI.
Second baseman Joey Garcia completed his career-sweep of All-SAA honors this season, making the team in all four years of his career in a Viking uniform, this season as a First Team selection. Garcia crushed 45 hits and scored 37 runs on the season. The Atlanta, Georgia, native led the Vikings in on-base percentage with a mark of .528. To round out his production, Garcia was one of only two Vikings to bat above .400 in the regular season and as a second baseman, he reeled in 71 putouts and 79 assists.
After three consecutive All-SAA Honorable Mention nods, fifth year senior Andrew Pendleton showed the conference why he is one of the best of the best with his first All-SAA First Team selection. Behind the dish, Pendleton was terrific at mowing down would-be base stealers at both second and third base. The Dallas, Georgia, native has also stopped his fair share of runs from scoring at home plate. In the batter's box, Andrew scored 32 runs on 45 hits, including 14 extra-base slugs and a home run. Pendleton also kicked out 35 key RBI to put Viking runners in motion.
Junior Cole Porter pitched his way to an All-SAA Second Team honor and has separated himself as a marquee relief pitcher for head coach David Beasley to utilize in clutch moments. The Valdosta, Georgia, native finished the season with a 2.92 ERA and two huge saves to bring Berry to victory. Porter also finished with an amazing WHIP of just 1.40. The sidearm specialist utilized his relentless arm action to stifle opposing batters into being retired. In 12 innings of action, Cole allowed just 14 hits to solidify himself as a go-to reliever.
Alex Knapp impressed the conference with his stellar play, garnering a Second Team All-SAA selection. Knapp made his name as a reliable center fielder and lead-off hitter for Berry throughout the season. Knapp scored a team-high 54 runs on the season with an outstanding mark of 35 stolen bases to lead the SAA in the category and shatter the Berry D3 school record, which was previously 31. Alex's breakout season also included 51 hits and 25 RBI to spark the top of the Viking lineup.
Designated hitter Caleb Spikes stepped into a pivotal role of the batting order this year for the Vikings and delivered tremendously to earn the first All-SAA Honorable Mention honor of his career. Spikes knocked through 21 hits in just 64 at-bats to go along with 12 key RBI. The Dacula, Georgia, native also was named to the SAA All-Sportsmanship Team as a testament to his character and support of his teammates and coaches throughout the season.
