Stevens Named Preseason WAC Pitcher of The Year

Texas Border Business

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RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas  – The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced on Wednesday that senior right-hander Kevin Stevens of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) baseball team is the WAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year as voted on by the head coaches.

During WAC play last season, Stevens went 6-1 with a 2.02 ERA. In nine starts, including two complete games and one shutout, he pitched 62.1 innings, striking out 64 while allowing just 38 hits and 15 walks. Opponents hit .174 off him. Stevens ranked second in the WAC in strikeouts, opponents’ batting average and innings pitched, third in ERA, wins, and fewest home runs allowed (two), fourth in batters struck out looking (16), seventh in fewest hits allowed (38), and 10^th in fewest doubles allowed (six). He earned Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week and WAC Pitcher of the Week honors after tossing a one-hit shutout against Northern Colorado on May 14.

Overall, Stevens went 7-4 with a 3.17 ERA. In 15 starts, including three complete games and one shutout, he pitched 93.2 innings, striking out 97 while allowing just 78 hits and 20 walks. Opponents hit .227 off him. Stevens ranked 33^rd in the NCAA and third in the WAC in complete games, 41^st in the NCAA and tied for first in the WAC in starts, 60^th in the NCAA and second in the WAC in WHIP (1.05), 69^th in the NCAA and third in the WAC in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.85), 71^st in the NCAA and third in the WAC in strikeouts, tied for 86^th in the NCAA and third in the WAC in wins, 99^th in the NCAA and fifth in the WAC in walks allowed per nine innings (1.92), and 141^st in the NCAA and fourth in the WAC in ERA.

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Abilene Christian earned five first place votes and 25 points as a unanimous pick to win the Southwest Division. UTRGV and Sam Houston tied for second with 19 points each. Lamar was picked fourth with 11 points followed by Stephen F. Austin with nine points and Tarleton with seven points.

In the West, defending WAC Champion Grand Canyon was picked to win the division with five first place votes and 34 points. Sacramento State was picked second with one first place vote and 30 points while California Baptist earned the remaining first place vote and 27 points. New Mexico State was picked fourth with 20 points followed by Dixie State with 19 points, Utah Valley with 10 points, and Seattle U with seven points.

UTRGV opens the season on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. against George Washington. The home slate includes an April 26 tilt against Texas, marking the first home game against Texas since 1971. The full season schedule can be found at GoUTRGV.com.

Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at UTRGVTickets.com or by contacting the UTRGV Ticket Sales and Operations team of Seth Jones (956-665-3877), and Eddie Galvan(956-665-3415) over the phone or through email at tickets@utrgv.edu.

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2022 Preseason All-WAC Team

Catcher: Kaden Hollow, So., Dixie State

First Base: Elijah Buries, So., Grand Canyon

First Base: Chase Kemp, Sr., Lamar

Second Base: Kevin Jiminez, Jr., NM State

Third Base: Juan Colato, R-Sr., Grand Canyon

Shortstop: Jacob Wilson, So., Grand Canyon

Outfield: Tayler Aguilar, Jr., Grand Canyon

Outfield: Colton Eager, Gr., Abilene Christian

Outfield: Grayson Tatrow, Jr., Abilene Christian

Utility/DH: Tommy Cruz, Sr., Abilene Christian

Starting Pitcher: Coltin Atkinson, So., Sam Houston

Starting Pitcher: Kevin Stevens, R-Sr., UT Rio Grande Valley

Starting Pitcher: Carter Young, So., Grand Canyon

Relief Pitcher: CJ Culpepper, So., California Baptist

Preseason Player of the Year: Colton Eager, Gr., OF, Abilene Christian

Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Kevin Stevens, R-Sr., RHP, UT Rio Grande Valley

Southwest Division

West Division

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