Phillips, Four Other Highlanders Receive GCAA All-Region 17 Baseball Honors

Cole Phillips was named to the GCAA/NJCAA All-Region 17 Baseball first team. (Photo by Village Photography)
Cole Phillips was named to the GCAA/NJCAA All-Region 17 Baseball first team. (Photo by Village Photography)

BARNESVILLE, Ga. – Gordon State placed five student-athletes on the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) / All-Region 17 baseball first and second teams as outfielder Cole Phillips was selected to the first team while pitchers Preston Felt and Davis Swenson, infielder Ethan Scott and outfielder Blaze O'Saben were named to the second team for the 2021 season.

Phillips (So. / Trion, Ga. / Trion High School) is hitting .322 with a team-high 15 homers, 57 RBI and 44 runs scored while slugging .690 and producing an on-base percentage of .392.

Felt (So. / Buford, Ga. / Flowery Branch High School) has compiled a 3-0 record with two saves in 28.1 innings of work while posting a 4.45 earned-run-average and recording 30 strikeouts for the Highlanders.

Swenson (Fr. / Toccoa, Ga. / Stephens County High School) has posted a 3-4 record with a 3.98 ERA in 54.1 innings on the mound while striking out 63 batters for GSC.

Scott (So. / Augusta, Ga. / Aquinas High School) hit .389 during the regular season with five homers, 26 runs scored, 18 RBI and stole two bases. Scott is slugging .642 and has an on-base percentage of .500.

O'Saben (RSo. / Warrenton, Va. / Fauquier High School) has nine home runs to go along with 48 runs, 38 RBI, five stolen bases and a .392 batting average. O'Saben's slugging percentage sits at .665 while his on-base percentage is .470.

As selected by the GCAA baseball head coaches, here is the complete breakdown of the All-Region first and second teams, Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Gold Glove team for 2021 season. 

Player of the Year – Kaleb Podger, Andrew College

Pitcher of the Year -- Johnny Dow, Georgia Highlands College

Defensive Player of the Year – Jacob Pierce, Andrew College

Coach of the Year – Dash O'Neil, Georgia Highlands College

First Team

Outfielders – Kaleb Podger, Andrew College; Jacob Pierce, Andrew Colllege; Cole Phillips, Gordon State

Infielders – CJ Rose, ABAC; Palmer Sapp, GHC; Joe Sutton, GHC; Conner Strickland, East Georgia State

Catcher – David Smith, GHC

Designated Hitter – Jack Hay, Andrew College

Pitchers – Johnny Dow, GHC; Conner Perry, GHC

Closer   Griffin McClure, East Georgia State

Second Team
Outfielders – Conner Todaro, GHC; Blaze O'Saben, Gordon State;  Garrett Bradley, ABAC

Infielders – Jacob Edwards, Andrew College; Henry Daniels, ABAC; Sam Bennett, ABAC; Ethan Scott, Gordon State

Catcher -- Ian King, South Georgia State

Designated Hitter – Ty Jackson, East Georgia State

Pitchers – Davis Swenson, Gordon State; Luke Cooper, South Georgia State

Closer – Preston Felt, Gordon State


Gold Glove Team
Catcher - David Smith, GHC

First Base – Conner Strickland, East Georgia State

Second Base – Jacob Edwards, Andrew College

Shortstop – Ryan Smith, ABAC

Third Base – Guy Anderberg, East Georgia State

Outfielders – Conner Todaro, GHC; Jacob Pierce, Andrew College; Kaleb Podger, Andrew College

Pitcher - Jonah Stout, Andrew College

-GSC-

The Gordon State College Department of Athletics is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA). Gordon State College competes in NJCAA Division I in the sports of Women's Soccer (Fall), Men's Basketball (Fall/Spring), Softball (Spring) and Baseball (Spring). Gordon State College is located in Barnesville, Ga., approximately 60 miles south of Atlanta and 35 miles northwest of Macon. Gordon State College offers both two-year and four-year degree programs and believes that our Athletics program provides student-athletes with the opportunity to be successful academically, athletically and in life after their time as a Highlander.  Follow GSC Athletics at www.gscathletics.com, on Facebook (@Gordon State Highlanders) and Twitter (@state_ad / GordonStateAD). You can also follow Gordon State College on Facebook (@GordonStateCollege #GSCHighlandersForward), Twitter (@GordonState) and Instagram (gordon_state).