NEW ORLEANS, La. (GCAConf.com) – The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference announced its 2015 All-GCAC team and individual award winners, as voted by the conference’s coaches. Edward Waters catcher Jesse Baker was tabbed as Player of the Year, Voorhees hurler Denada Thomas earned Pitcher of the Year and Reginald Johnson, II of Edward Waters was named Coach of the Year.
Baker earns the first GCAC Player of the Year award in Edward Waters’ history. He was at the top of several statistical categories during the season, including slugging percentage (.793), total hits (75), runs batted in (70), home runs (16), and total bases (138), He also finished second in batting average (.431), fourth in doubles (13), and eighth in runs scored (36). He ranked in the top eight in the NAIA in seven offensive categories.
Thomas was named Pitcher of the Year after assuming the role of staff ace of a squad that improved from 3-31 (0-12 GCAC) to 10-21 (1-9). He led the conference in earned run average (4.47) and fewest walks allowed (19). He also finished second in opponents’ batting average (.249) and hits allowed (45). Thomas was third in the nation with more than 7 1/3 innings pitched per start.
Johnson wins the Coach of the Year Award after leading Edward Waters to the GCAC regular season title. The Tigers finished the regular season with a 32-20 mark, including going 13-2 against GCAC competition. Their 34 total wins this season are the most since the 2011 season when they finished with a 35-26 record. The Tigers had both the conference’s best pitching staff (4.45 earned run average) and its top offense (7.32 runs/game).
The complete list of the All-GCAC team and award winners can be found below.
| ALL-GCAC BASEBALL TEAM | |||||
| Name | Cl. | Pos. | School | Hometown | |
| Jesse Baker | SR | C | Edward Waters College | Sebring, Fla. | |
| Marvin Mouzon | SR | 1B | Voorhees College | Charleston, S.C. | |
| Juan Bracamonte | SO | 2B | Edward Waters College | Tampa, Fla. | |
| Jean Marmol | JR | SS | Talladega College | Santiago, DR | |
| Joshua Thomas | JR | 3B | Tougaloo College | Choctaw, Miss. | |
| Miguel Beltre | SO | OF | Edward Waters College | Kissimmee, Fla. | |
| Seth Eakin | FR | OF | Voorhees College | Wynne, Ark. | |
| Michael Schofield | SR | OF | Talladega College | Alabaster, Ala. | |
| Jose Visaez | JR | OF | Edward Waters College | Jacksonville, Fla. | |
| Hector Corona | SR | DH | Talladega College | Santiago, DR | |
| Denada Thomas | SO | SP | Voorhees College | Covington, Ga. | |
| Tim Lamoureux | SO | SP | Talladega College | Tampa, Fla. | |
| Chase Green | FR | RP | Edward Waters College | Jacksonville, Fla. | |
| Travis Coleman | SO | RP | Edward Waters College | Crystal River, Fla. | |
Player of the Year
Jesse Baker, EWC
Pitcher of the Year
Denada Thomas, VC
Coach of the Year
Reginald Johnson, II, EWC