SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford senior pitcher Michael Ross was named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Year by both the coaches and media, and eight total Bulldogs earned SoCon honors when the league released its postseason baseball awards Tuesday afternoon.
 
Ross was joined on the first team All-SoCon team by relief pitcher Carson Lore, second baseman John Anderson and shortstop Garrett Howe, all being honored by both the coaches and the media. On the second team by both the coaches and the media were third baseman Garrett Staton and outfielder Josh Rodriguez. On the coaches' all-freshman team were first baseman Jackson Harris and outfielder and designated hitter Angelo Prieto.
 
Ross tied a school record with 12 wins, posting a perfect 12-0 record this season. He has posted an ERA of 2.82 in 89.1 innings of work, leading the SoCon in both ERA and wins. He struck out 83 batters, while allowing just 18 walks. In SoCon play, he went 7-0, winning his start in all seven SoCon series.
 
Lore is tied for second in the Southern Conference in saves with seven. He has a 3.92 ERA, striking out 40 batters, while walking just nine hitters. Anderson ranks second in the SoCon in doubles with 18 and he is second on the Samford team with a .375 batting average, with 18 doubles, 13 home runs and 63 RBI. Howe leads the SoCon in runs scored with 73. He leads the team and ranks fifth in the SoCon with a .380 batting average, to go along with his 17 doubles, eight home runs and 43 RBI.
 
Staton leads the team and ranks fourth in the SoCon in home runs with 18. He is batting .317 with 19 doubles, 18 home runs and team-high 64 RBI. Rodriguez is hitting .307 with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 44 RBI.
 
Harris played in 47 games, starting 25 contests at first base. He is hitting .262 with seven doubles, one home run and 15 RBI. Prieto played in 31 games, including 28 starts. He is hitting .287 with six doubles, five home runs and 21 RBI.
 
Samford will open play in the SoCon Tournament on Friday at 11:30 a.m. (CT) at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C. against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. To follow all of the action at the SoCon Tournament, click on the following link: TOURNAMENT CENTRAL.
 
2024 Coaches All-Southern Conference Teams
Player of the Year – Caleb Cozart, Sr., 1B/DH, UNCG
Pitcher of the Year – Michael Ross, Sr., RHP, Samford
Freshman of the Year – Daniel Jackson, C, Wofford
Coach of the Year – Cody Ellis, UNCG

First team
SP – Colton Cosper, Jr., Mercer
SP – Rob Ready, Jr., UNCG
SP – Hunter Shuey, So., UNCG
SP – Michael Ross, Sr., Samford
SP – Zac Cowan, So., Wofford
RP – Carson Lore, Jr., Samford
RP – Jonathan Todd, Sr., Western Carolina
C – Justin Starke, Sr., VMI
1B – Cameron Sisneros, Sr., ETSU
2B – John Anderson, Sr., Samford
SS – Garrett Howe, Sr., Samford
3B – Dixon Black, Sr., Wofford
OF – Ty Dalley, So., Mercer
OF – Nate Stocum, Sr., Western Carolina
OF – Marshall Toole, Jr., Wofford
DH – Caleb Cozart, Sr., UNCG
 
Second team
SP – Michael Harpster, Fr., ETSU
SP – Julien Peissel, So., UNCG
SP – Will Riley, Jr., VMI
SP – Dante Visconti, Sr., Western Carolina
RP – Owen Kovacs, Sr., ETSU
RP – Hunter Shuey, So., UNCG
C – Mitchell Smith, Sr., UNCG
C – Daniel Jackson, Fr., Wofford
1B – Caleb Cozart, Sr., UNCG
2B – Zach Ketterman, Sr., Western Carolina
SS – Aidan Brewer, Gr., UNCG
3B – Garrett Staton, Jr., Samford
OF – Tommy Barth, Jr., ETSU
OF – Josh Rodriguez, Sr., Samford
OF – Trey Morgan, R-Sr., VMI
DH – Nick Iannantone, Sr., ETSU
 
All-Freshman Team    
Garrett Fulmer, The Citadel
Michael Harpster, ETSU
Jace Hyde, ETSU
Jamie Palmese, ETSU
Noah Chapman, UNCG             
Jackson Harris, Samford
Angelo Prieto, Samford
Davis Budd, Western Carolina
Tyler Bak, Wofford
Daniel Jackson, Wofford
Kenny Michaels, Wofford
Camden Wicker, Wofford

2024 SCSMA All-Southern Conference Teams
 
Player of the Year – Cameron Sisneros, Sr., 1B, ETSU
Pitcher of the Year – Michael Ross, Sr., SP, Samford
Freshman of the Year – Daniel Jackson, Fr., C, Wofford
Coach of the Year – Cody Ellis, UNCG
 
First team
SP - Colton Cosper, Jr., Mercer
SP - Hunter Shuey, So., UNCG
SP – Michael Ross, Sr., Samford
SP – Zac Cowan, So., Wofford
RP – Grant Aycock, So., UNCG
RP - Carson Lore, Jr., Samford
C – Justin Starke, Sr., VMI
1B – Cameron Sisneros, Sr., ETSU
2B – John Anderson, Sr., Samford
SS – Garrett Howe, Sr., Samford
3B – Dixon Black, Sr., Wofford
OF – Ty Dalley, So., Mercer
OF – Nate Stocum, Sr., Western Carolina
OF – Marshall Toole, Jr., Wofford
DH – Caleb Cozart, Sr., UNCG
 
Second team
SP – Michael Harpster, Fr., ETSU
SP – Rob Ready, Jr., UNCG
SP - Julien Peissel, So., UNCG
RP – Luke Kissenberth, Sr., The Citadel
RP - Owen Kovacs, Sr., ETSU
RP – Hunter Shuey, So., UNCG
RP – Jonathan Todd, Sr., Western Carolina
RP - Dusty Revis, So., Western Carolina
RP – Mike Eggert, Sr., Wofford
C – Daniel Jackson, Fr., Wofford
1B – Caleb Cozart, Sr., UNCG
2B – Zach Ketterman, Sr., Western Carolina
SS – Aidan Brewer, Gr., UNCG
3B – Garrett Staton, Jr., Samford
OF – Tommy Barth, Jr., ETSU
OF – Josh Rodriguez, Sr., Samford
OF – Trey Morgan, Sr., VMI
DH – Nick Iannantone, Sr., ETSU
 
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