After their best season since 2018, the Bobcat baseball team also tied the program’s record for most All-PBC Team awards, a record that was also set during that 2018 season when there were six players nominated to the First Team, and two nominated to the Second Team.
This year the split was even, with four nominations to the First Team and four to the Second Team. Despite the record-tying number of awards, there were only seven players awarded to the teams, as senior Brandon Bellflower took home the First Team award for designated hitter, and a Second Team award for first base. The remaining six players, pitchers Josh Hudgins and Brennan Crooms, outfielders Cam Hill and Paul Grazzini, shortstop KC Brown, and second baseman Austin Holloway, are also all seniors.
Hill is the only person on the list to have his second nomination, as he was selected for the All-PBC Second Team in 2019, but a team-leading .349 batting average among other stats skyrocketed him into the First Team.
“Cam has had such a special career, and this year is no different,” said head coach Nolan Belcher. “He is one of those guys that can take over a game and put a team on his back, and I will miss seeing ‘12’ walk through the gates of the Kurtz next year.”
Along with tying the record for awards, Bellflower also became the first player in program history to be nominated for the All-PBC Team in two different positions. He ended the season with a .342 batting average, a teamleading 10 home runs, and 41 RBIs.
“Bellflower has solidified himself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the Peach Belt,” said Belcher. “A tireless worker who has earned every bit of success he has experienced, the most exciting part about ‘Belly’ is how much more room he has to improve. The sky is the limit, and I can’t wait to see him continue to develop.”
Hudgins has been the firstgame starter for the Bobcats all season, compiling a 6-4 record with a 3.81 ERA and 60 strikeouts over his 89 2/3 innings.
“Hudgins has been a staple for our staff the last two seasons. His work ethic and attention to detail is unmatched, and I’m so happy for him and the fantastic year he has had,” said Belcher.
Grazzini was the final player nominated to the All-PBC First Team, and he was an all-around solid player, finishing with a .338 batting average, six home runs, 39 RBIs, and crossing home plate himself 44 times.
“I’m so happy for Paul and all he has accomplished this 2022 season. He has worked so hard all year and I’m thrilled it is all paying off for him this spring, as he is one of the tougher guys who has handled adversity all year and performed at an elite level,” said Belcher.
With 13 seniors set to graduate and leave the program after this year, it will be interesting to see what Belcher decides to do with the players that remain and the freshmen who come in next season.
For now though, everyone on the staff can relax for a little after a successful season with high-level competition before thinking ahead to next year.