The Coastal Athletic Association announced its postseason awards on Tuesday, highlighting a breakout season for the UNCW baseball program.
Freshman pitcher Trey Williford was crowned Rookie of the Year, and his debut season featured seven wins, a 3.34 earned run average and 81 strikeouts, a program record for first‑year players.
Opponents batted just .220 against him and managed only 15 extra‑base hits, underscoring his dominance on the mound.
Conference Tournament Outlook
The Seahawks open their tournament run on Wednesday at 4 p.m., facing Monmouth in a matchup that could define their postseason trajectory.
Coaching staff emphasized early execution and the importance of maintaining the pitching discipline that defined Williford’s rookie campaign.
The team’s recent offensive surge, led by junior third baseman Trevor Lucas and utility player Mason Hughes, adds depth to a lineup that has been quietly climbing the conference rankings.
First‑team selections also included Lucas, who batted .332 with 12 home runs and 54 runs batted in, while second‑team members Cooper Allen and Mason Hughes contributed 85 strikeouts and a .331 average respectively.
Honorable mentions went to Kevin Jones and JP Pennella, the latter leading the league with a .373 batting average and 17 stolen bases.