ROCK HILL, SC – Colten Rendon was named the Big South Conference Freshman of the Year and Tom Riginos was tabbed the Coach of the Year as Winthrop baseball earned seven honors when the Big South Conference announced its annual awards, Monday evening.

The Eagles had four players earn all-conference honors as senior Anthony Paulsen, Mitch Spires, Nate Pawelczyk, and Colten Rendon all earned All-Big South First Team honors.

Paulsen leads the Eagles in batting average, doubles, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage while his .347 average is third in the Big South. He ranks in the Top 10 of seven offensive categories in the league. It is Paulsen's third All-Big South honor as he's now been named to the first team twice. "I'm glad to see all of my hard work has paid off over the past 3 years," said Paulsen, "My goal every year is to perform to my best ability and help the team win, even though I didn't receive player of the year, I don't plan to do anything different and I plan to contribute to the team any way i can." 

Spires leads the Eagles in runs scored and at-bats. He finished second on the team in doubles, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage. Spires, who tied Paulsen for the team lead in hits also finished in the Top 10 in runs scored for the league. This is Spires first time being named all-conference. "It's an honor to be noticed as one of the best players in the conference," said Spires, "But it would mean a lot more to prove ourselves as the best team in the conference at the end of this week."

Pawelczyk leads the Eagles in wins, ERA, opponents' batting average, least amount of runs allowed, and fewest earned runs allowed. He was first in wins, ERA, and opponents' batting average in the Big South. He ranks in the Top 10 of 10 pitching categories in the league. It's the first All-Big South selection for Pawelczyk. "It feels good to be recognized and represent the team as a 1st team," said Pawelczyk, "It's a nice honor and I was happy to receive the award."

Rendon leads the Eagles in wins, walks, and second on the team in ERA, innings pitched and opponents' batting average. He ranks in the Top 10 of 10 pitching categories in the league. Rendon is the first Eagle to win Freshman of the Year since Alex Wilson in 2006. "It's an honor, coming into freshman year wasn't expecting it, just wanted to come in and do my best to help out the team" said Rendon.

Riginos was named Coach of the Year for the first time in his stint with the Eagles and the first since Joe Hudak in 2001. Riginos led the Eagles to a 31-22 overall record, 15-7 at home, 15-12 on the road, and 17-7 in the conference. The 31 wins are the second most during his time at Winthrop. The 17 league wins are the most by the Eagles since 2009 when they were 18-9. "I am very humbled to have been named Big South Conference Coach of the Year." said coach Riginos, "This award is not about me. I have not thrown one pitch or have not gotten one hit this year. This award is about my players, my staff, and the entire Winthrop Baseball organization and all the hard work every person involved in our program has put into this season. I am just very thankful to be able to be apart such a outstanding University and Athletic Department."

Sophomore Hunter Lipscomb was named to the Big South All-Academic Team. "I mean it's a great award to recieve becasue of all the hours we put in with school and baseball. It's one of those things our coaches do a great job at by making sure we stay on top of our grades," said Lipscomb, "We have many people that help make sure we use our time wisely. But it's summer time and all we got to worry about now is winning the tournament."

For the latest information on Winthrop Baseball team, follow @WinthropBasebal on Twitter or go to www.winthropeagles.com.

FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
OF   D.J. Artis, Soph., Liberty
OF   Danny Sullivan, Sr., Gardner-Webb
OF   Anthony Paulsen, R-Sr., Winthrop
INF  Sammy Taormina, Sr., Liberty
INF  Collin Thacker, Sr., Gardner-Webb
INF  Mitch Spires, Jr., Winthrop
INF  Jason Miller, R-Soph., Charleston Southern
C    TJ Richardson, Jr., Presbyterian
UTL Danny Hrbek, Sr., Radford
DH   Cole Hallum, R-Sr., Campbell
SP   Zack Ridgely, LHP, Jr., Radford
SP   Colton Rendon, RHP, Fr., Winthrop
SP   Nate Pawelczyk, RHP, Soph., Winthrop
RP   Kyle Zurak, RHP, Sr., Radford
 
SECOND-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
OF   Matthew Barefoot, R-Fr., Campbell
OF   Jeff Hahs, Jr., Campbell
OF   Josh Greene, Sr., High Point
INF  Blake Schunk, Jr., High Point
INF  Spencer Horwitz, Fr., Radford
INF  Glen Casaceli, Sr., Presbyterian
INF  Kyle Butler, R-Soph., Radford
C    Jonathan Gonzalez, Sr., Radford
UTL Drew Butler, Sr., Campbell
DH   Tim Mansfield, Sr., High Point
SP   Drew Daczkowski, RHP, Fr., High Point
SP   Evan Mitchell, RHP, Sr., Liberty
SP   Cody Wager, RHP, Sr., Longwood
RP   Cody Smith, RHP, Jr., Charleston Southern
 
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-CONFERENCE
RP   Ryan Hedrick, RHP, Jr., Presbyterian               
RP   Daniel Johnson, LHP, Jr., Charleston Southern  
OF   Joe Tietjen, Sr., UNC Asheville
INF  Aaron Miller, Fr., Charleston Southern
SP   Brian Kehner, LHP, Sr., Presbyterian
 
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Drew Butler, Sr., UTL, Campbell
Daniel Johnson, Jr., LHP, Charleston Southern
Danny Sullivan, Sr., OF, Gardner-Webb
Andrew Gottfried, Soph., RHP, High Point
Matt Allen, Jr., C, Liberty
Zach Potojecki, Jr., RHP, Longwood
AJ Priaulx, Jr., 1B, Presbyterian College
Kyle Palmer, Jr., LHP, Radford
Joe Tietjen, Sr., OF, UNC Asheville
Hunter Lipscomb, Soph., OF, Winthrop
 
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
D.J. Artis, OF, Soph., Liberty
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Zack Ridgely, LHP, Jr., Radford
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Colton Rendon, RHP, Fr., Winthrop
COACH OF THE YEAR
Tom Riginos, Winthrop
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Drew Butler, Sr., UTL, Campbell