Hill Named Player of the Year, Hitter of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Jackson State baseball team swept through the 2021 All-SWAC Team and individual awards the conference office announced Tuesday, May 18.
Sophomore Ty Hill was named the SWAC Player of the Year, Hitter of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and All-SWAC First Team at third base.
Senior Anthony Becerra is the SWAC Pitcher of the Year and voted to the All-SWAC First Team at starting pitcher.
Junior Steven Davila was voted SWAC Relief Pitcher of the Year and named to the All-SWAC First Team at relief pitcher.
Freshman Chenar Brown earned the SWAC Freshman of the Year and was placed to the All-SWAC First Team at first base.
JSU skipper Omar Johnson was voted the SWAC Coach of the Year.
CJ Newsome and Chandler Dillard earned All-SWAC First Team at outfield, and junior Nikelle Galatas was voted All-SWAC First Team at starting pitcher.
Senior Equon Smith was placed on the All-SWAC Second Team at outfield.
All-SWAC
Ty Hill
The most complete offensive player in the SWAC. He led the SWAC or ranked in the top of several offensive categories: Batting average (.433), slugging percentage (.675), on-base percentage (.496), hits (52), runs batted in (42), doubles (12), triples (4). Hill’s .433 batting average ranked fifth nationally.
Anthony Becerra
Becerra finished with an 8-1 overall record and a league-high 101 strikeouts. Becerra’s eight wins ranked tied for 13th in the country tied for first in the SWAC. Becerra tossed 67 innings and sports a 2.55 ERA and was twice named SWAC Pitcher of the Week.
Chenar Brown
The freshman is one of the most consistent players in the SWAC and was ranked in the top 10 in the following categories: Batting average (.363), slugging percentage (.664), runs scored (35), runs batted in (42), triples (3), home runs (7).
Steven Davila
A key reliever for the Tigers. Davila finished the season 5-0 and added six saves, which lead the conference. He has fanned 47 batters and sports a 3.38 ERA.
CJ Newsome
One of the most dynamic players in the SWAC. Newsome leads or is ranked in the top 10 in several offensive categories. Batting average (.339), on-base percentage (.859), slugging percentage (.425), RBI (24), hits (43), stolen bases (15).
Nikelle Galatas
Galatas went 8-2 with a 3.41 earned run average and struck out 71 batters. Galatas’ eight wins ranked tied for 13th in the country tied for first in the SWAC. He was a two-time SWAC Pitcher of the Week.
Chandler Dillard
A vibrant outfielder for JSU. On offense, Dillard is ranked in the top 10 in several categories. Batting average (.367), on-base percentage (.451), slugging percentage (.449), RBI (38), doubles (4), triples (2), and home runs (2). He also sports a .986 fielding percentage.
Equon Smith
A do-it-all threat for the Tigers. Smith is batting .301 with a .838 on-base percentage. He has added 15 RBI and drew 18 walks. He is second in the conference with 23 stolen bases.
Omar Johnson
In his 15th season at the helm, guided the Tigers to a 31-8 overall mark and a perfect 24-0 record in the SWAC. The Tigers sported the best offense, best pitching staff, and best defensive unit in the SWAC. As a team, the Tigers batted .325 with 287 RBI and a team .453 slugging percentage. The Blue and White led the country with 120 stolen bases. As a unit, the Tigers’ pitchers held a 4.43 team ERA, and opponents were limited to a .226 batting average. On defense, JSU finished with a .961 fielding percentage and committed just 48 errors over the course of 39 games.
All-SWAC Baseball First Team
C – Hunter May- Alabama State
1B – Chenar Brown– Jackson State
2B – Tristin Garcia- Alcorn State
3B – Ty Hill– Jackson State
SS – Cristopher DeGuzman- Alabama State
DH – Santiago Garcia- Alabama State
OF – Chandler Dillard– Jackson State
OF – Jahmoi Percival- Grambling State
OF – CJ Newsome– Jackson State
SP – Anthony Becerra– Jackson State
SP – Nikelle Galatas– Jackson State
RP – Steven Davila– Jackson State
All-SWAC Baseball Second Team
C – Taj Porter- Southern
1B – Oscar Ponce- Texas Southern
2B – Andrew Garcia- Prairie View A&M
3B – Trenton Jamison- Alabama State
SS – Cameron Bufford- Grambling State
DH – O’Neill Burgos- Southern
OF – Equon Smith– Jackson State
OF – Jabronski Willams- Alabama State
OF – Xavier Jefferson- Prairie View A&M
SP – Breon Pooler- Alabama State
SP – Kam Fields- Texas Southern
RP – Payton Harris- Alabama State
Player of the Year
Ty Hill– Jackson State
Hitter of the Year
Ty Hill– Jackson State
Pitcher of the Year
Anthony Becerra– Jackson State
Relief Pitcher of the Year
Steven Davila– Jackson State
Newcomer of the Year
Ty Hill– Jackson State
Freshman of the Year
Chenar Brown– Jackson State
Coach of the Year
Omar Johnson– Jackson State
COURTESY JACKSON STATE ATHLETICS
