Sports

Warren’s Pace named SWAC Freshman of the Year

By Jeremy Muck/OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:58 AM CDT

Arkansas-Pine Bluff freshman Matt Pace was selected as the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Freshman of the Year on Wednesday.

The Warren native hit .369 with five home runs and 40 RBIs in 2008. Pace led the SWAC in doubles with 23. The 6-0, 190-pound Pace was one of the few bright spots on a Golden Lion team that did not make the SWAC Tournament this month.

Pace was one of three UAPB players honored by the SWAC on Wednesday. Junior outfielder Jerome McCollum was selected to the first team while senior shortstop Reggie Barker was named to the second team.

Prairie View A&M infielder Myrio Richard was named the SWAC’s Player of the Year. Jackson State’s Charles Williams earned Pitcher of the Year honors. Joel Del Grande of Alcorn State won both the Newcomer of the Year and Outstanding Hitter of the Year awards from the SWAC.

2008 SWAC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

FIRST TEAM

P - Mario Jefferson, Grambling State

P - Charles Williams, Jackson State

P - Jarrett Maloy, Southern

C - Michael Thomas, Southern

1B - Myrio Richard, Prairie View A&M

2B - Enrique Quintero, Jackson State

SS - LaDerek Camper, Jackson State

3B - Romey Bracey, Southern

DH - Mychal Roby, Grambling State

OF - Jabari Graham, Alcorn State

OF - Jerome McCollum, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

OF - Brent Smith, Grambling State

SECOND TEAM

P - Tony Gonzales, Alcorn State

P - Wrandal Taylor, Prairie View A&M

P - Rashad Ford, Texas Southern

C - David Reed, Alcorn State

1B - Earnest Rhone, Texas Southern

2B - Brandon Williams, Grambling State

SS - Reggie Barker, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

3B - Jerome Tyes, Jackson State

DH - Joel Del Grande, Alcorn State

OF - Cortez Cole, Jackson State

OF - Brandon Kendricks, Prairie View A&M

OF - Deshaun Dilworth, Texas Southern

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Matt Pace, Arkansas-Pine Bluff

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Joel Del Grande, Alcorn State

OUTSTANDING HITTER OF THE YEAR

Joel Del Grande, Alcorn State

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

Charles Williams, Jackson State

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Myrio Richard, Prairie View A&M

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