AAC Baseball Awards Announced

KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Appalachian Athletic Conference announced the 2024 Baseball All-AAC Team and Awards on Wednesday.

Bryson Lofton of Bryan is the Player of the Year, Blake Peyton of Tennessee Wesleyan is the Pitcher of the Year, Riley Paulino of Pikeville is the Newcomer of the Year, Mason Kelley of Union is the Freshman of the Year, and Jonathan Burton of Reinhardt is the Coach of the Year.

The awards were voted on and selected by the baseball coaches of the AAC.

Lofton leads the league in hitting with a .445 average as well as RBI with 63. He is tied for third in the AAC in home runs with 18.

Peyton is 5-0 with a save in conference play and sports a 0.66 ERA in league action. He has 74 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings pitched in AAC play.

Paulino is a dual threat for the Bears but was particularly strong on the mound. In nine conference appearances, he went 7-0 with a 2.45 ERA. He also batted .200 with eight RBI and 11 runs scored.

Kelley posted a .315 average in conference play with two home runs, 15 RBI, and 25 runs scored in conference play.

Burton guided Reinhardt to the regular-season championship with a 25-5 conference record.

Seventeen players earned a spot on the All-AAC First Team with 17 making the second team. Nine players made the Gold Glove Team.

For a complete look at the awards, click here.