BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama State and Texas Southern have been selected by the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball coaches and Sports Information Directors to win the East and West Divisions for the 2016 season, the Conference office announced today.
Alabama State’s Joseph Camacho and Chris Biocic were selected as Pitcher of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively, while Jackson State’s Jesus Santana took home Player of the Year honors. All three were named to the 2016 Pre-Season All-SWAC First Team.
Alabama State topped the East Division with 63 points and 10 first-place votes. Jackson State finished second with 53 points while Alabama A&M came in third. Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State were selected to finish fourth and fifth, respectively.
It is predicted to be close in the West Division again this year. Texas Southern collected 53 points and four first place votes, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff was close on their heels with 50 points and four first place votes. Southern tallied 47 points and five first-place votes to come in third as Grambling State and Prairie View A&M rounded out the division.
Pitcher of the Year - Joseph Camacho, Alabama State
Camacho heads into the 2016 season after collecting his second consecutive SWAC Pitcher of the Year award and first-team All-SWAC honor in 2015. His 12-0 record with a 3.84 ERA in 13 starts for the Hornets was among the nation’s best, as he led the Alabama State squad to their second straight SWAC Eastern Division crown. Camacho struck out 74 hitters in 83.1 innings pitched, allowing 93 hits and only 41 runs (36 earned).
Defensive Player of the Year – Chris Biocic, Alabama State
Biocic, a 2015 All-SWAC selection, was in the top 10 in the Conference in batting average (.356), hits (62) and RBI (44). The catcher, behind the plate in 41 of his 46 appearances, was also 12-for-15 in stolen base attempts last season and tallied four games where he collected four RBI.
Player of the Year – Jesus Santana, Jackson State
Santana returns off of his Freshman of the Year and All-SWAC First Team season for the Tigers at the hot corner. In 2015, he was in the top 10 in the SWAC in five different categories including leading the way with 12 home runs. Santana collected 11 multi-RBI and 13 multi-hit games for Jackson State in 2015.
First Team
1B – Collin Carroll, ALCN
2B – Yamil Pagan, ALST
3B – Jesus Santana, JKST *
SS – Roberto Colon, UAPB
OF – Lamar Briggs, JKST
OF - Cody Den Beste, PVAM
OF - Kendal Davis, JKST
C – Chris Biocic, ALST *
DH – Sam Campbell, JKST
SP – Joseph Camacho, ALST *
SP – Blake Estep, UAPB
RP – Jevon Jacobs, JKST
Second Team
1B – Gustavo Rios, ALST
2B – Larry Barraza, GRAM
3B – Horace Leblanc, TXSO
SS – Mark Watson, JKST
OF – Bryce Brown
OF – Christopher Scroggins, TXSO
OF – Jerimiah Figueroa, UAPB
C – Jose Delatorre, SUBR
DH – Chris Burns, UAPB
SP - Hunter McIntosh, ALST
SP – Vincent Anthonia, JKST
RP – Harold Myles, SUBR
East Division | Points (first-place)
1. Alabama State 63 (10)
2. Jackson State 53 (1)
3. Alabama A&M 41 (1)
4. Alcorn State 29
5. Mississippi Valley State 24
West Division | Points (first-place)
1. Texas Southern 53 (4)
2. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 50 (4)
3. Southern 43 (5)
4. Grambling State 35 (1)
5. Prairie View A&M 25
Courtesy: SWAC.org