Jones Headlines Baseball AMC Award Winners

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Springfield, Mo. – The American Midwest Conference handed out their season awards at last night's banquet to open the Baseball championship week. 10 Central Baptist College Mustangs were amongst the selections, headlined by Aiden Jones, who was named Freshman Pitcher of the Year.

            Jones joined Dylan Crossley, Andrew Killough and teammate Dylan Parton as Mustangs who have been selected as Freshman Pitcher of the Year. Jones pitched to a 6-3 record and a 4.95 ERA this season with 33 strikeouts in 60 innings.

            Jamin Smith was named first team Utility Pitcher after posting a 2-1 record with three saves in 16 appearances. He struck out 31 batters in 29 innings and pitched to a 4.66 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.

            Ryan Dauphinee was named first team second baseman. He batted .359 with a .988 OPS in 49 games, scoring 45 runs with 18 doubles, six home runs and 43 RBIs. He also earned his second career gold glove, becoming the first Mustang to win multiple gold gloves. He posted a conference leading .953 fielding percentage and was a part of 27 double plays.

            Preston White was named first team shortstop. He batted .336 and has an OPS of 1.051 entering the conference tournament with 41 runs scored in 46 games to go along with six doubles, six home runs and 27 RBIs.

            Jaxon Kirkhuff earned second team honors at both pitcher and first base. At the plate, he batted .312 with an OPS of .764 in 44 games while scoring 13 runs with five doubles and fifteen RBIs. On the mound, he made 12 appearances and seven starts, pitching to a 3.44 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP with 34 strikeouts in 52 and one-third innings.

            Dylan Parton earned second team honors as a pitcher. He has gone 9-2 in 12 starts this season with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP in 69 innings while striking out 53.

            Brayden Mayencourt earned his second straight second team honor at catcher. He batted .287 with a .796 OPS in 48 games with 18 runs scored, 13 doubles, a home run and 34 RBIs.

            Josh Lumsden earned second team honors at third base. He batted .306 with a .783 OPS in 41 games to go with 21 runs scored, five doubles, a home run and 19 RBIs.

            Garrett Fitts earned second team honors again in the outfield as well as earning the Champion of Character award. Fitts batted .365 with a .975 OPS in 31 games this season. He added 31 runs scored, four doubles, four triples, a home run, 25 RBIs and 15 steals.

            Aaron Prince earned second team honors in the outfield as well. He batted .336 and slugged .580 this season with 40 runs scored, nine doubles, a triple, a team-leading eight home runs and 43 RBIs in 48 games.

            The Mustangs open AMC Tournament play at 3 p.m. against Mission at the Ozark Mountain Sports Complex in Ozark, Mo.