BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Two members of the Samford baseball team were named among the top 20 pitchers and hitters in the nation by D1Baseball.com when the organization released its top 150 pitchers and hitters based on last season Wednesday.
 
Samford sophomore first baseman Sonny DiChiara was named the 15^th best hitter, while senior pitcher Zach Hester was named the 20^th best pitcher in the nation.
 
As a freshman in 2019, DiChiara led the team and ranked second in the Southern Conference in home runs with 21, RBI with 55 and slugging percentage at .646. He batted .293 for the season.
 
Hester ranked third in the SoCon in earned run average at 2.17 and second in opposing batting average at .216. Hester shared the team lead in wins with a 7-4 mark, and he led the team with 83.0 innings pitched.
 
Samford will open the 2020 season by hosting UNC Asheville in a three-game series, Feb. 14-16. The teams will play Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.