Fidel, Pittman Receive First Team All-Sun Belt Honors

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Chandler Fidel and Riley Pittman each received First Team All-Sun Belt honors for their outstanding 2019 seasons, announced Monday afternoon by league officials. Both Trojans are receiving the recognition for the first time in their careers.
 
As Little Rock's Friday-night starter, Chandler Fidel, earned first-team honors as a starting pitcher. The junior finished the regular season with a career-best 3.52 ERA while posting a 5-4 record in his 14 starts. The Garland, Texas native led the Sun Belt in innings pitched (94.2) during the 2019 season, and also finished third in the conference in both ERA and strikeouts (96). Fidel held batters to a .233 average, which was sixth-best in the Sun Belt.

Fidel received Sun Belt Player of the Week honors on May 14 for his masterful start against Texas State, throwing 124 pitches in nine innings of work, allowing just three runs and six hits on the night. He fanned 12 hitters, which tied a career high. The Trojan ace has already etched his name in the Little Rock record book in multiple categories. Fidel ranks third all-time in games started (42) and fourth in innings pitched (254.1). He also ranks third all-time in strikeouts (248) and strikeouts in a season (94).
 
Riley Pittman was one of the Sun Belt's most feared hitters in 2019, anchoring the Trojan lineup as their designated hitter. The senior led the team in batting average, home runs, doubles, total bases and RBI, posting a .337 average with 13 home runs, 15 doubles, 123 total bases and 51 RBI. These were all career-highs for Pittman.

The North Richland Hills, Texas native received Sun Belt Player of the Week honors on April 16 for his incredible week at the plate, going 8-for-10 (.800) with a four-double performance against UAPB, tying the school record for doubles in a game. He went on to break the Little Rock all-time record for career home runs, as he now has 26. Pittman tallied 22 multi-hit games on the season while he also etched his name in the Little Rock record books in multiple categories. Pittman currently ranks second all-time in career at-bats (600) and seventh in hits (171).

The honors for the Trojan duo brings Little Rocks' all-time All-Sun Belt honorees to 40 with 21 first team selections. The selections of Fidel and Pittman marks the first time the Trojans have placed a pair on the first team team since Ryan Scott and Dalton Thomas in 2016.
 
Fidel, Pittman and the Trojans will begin Sun Belt Conference Tournament action on Wednesday, May 22 in Conway. S.C. when they take on Troy. First pitch with the Trojans is scheduled for 9 a.m. ET.
 
 All-Sun Belt Baseball First Team
Chandler Fidel, Little Rock, SP
Seth Shuman, Georgia Southern, SP
Connor Reich, Texas State, SP
Zach Greene, South Alabama, RP
Chase Smartt, Troy, C
Zach Biermann, Coastal Carolina, 1B
Jaxon Williams, Texas State, 2B
Hayden Cantrelle, Louisiana, SS
Chad Bell, ULM, 3B
Parker Chavers, Coastal Carolina, OF
Mason McWhorter, Georgia Southern, OF
Ethan Wilson, South Alabama, OF
Todd Lott, Louisiana, Utility
Riley Pittman, Little Rock, DH
 
All-Sun Belt Baseball Second Team
Hunter Gaddis, Georgia State, SP
Nicholas Fraze, Texas State, SP
Cory Gill, Troy, SP
Andrew Gross, UT Arlington, RP
Kyle Skeels, Coastal Carolina, C
Sadler Goodwin, Troy, 1B
Steven Curry, Georgia Southern, 2B
Drew Frederic, Troy, SS
Jaylen Hubbard, Texas State, 3B
Kieton Rivers, Coastal Carolina, OF
Orynn Veillon, Louisiana, OF
Rigsby Mosley, Troy, OF
Andrew Beesley, ULM, Utility
Jake Wright, Coastal Carolina, DH
 
Community Coffee Player of the Year
Ethan Wilson, South Alabama (Freshman, OF)
 
Community Coffee Pitcher of the Year
Connor Reich, Texas State (Senior, RHP)
                                        
Community Coffee Freshman of the Year
Ethan Wilson, South Alabama (Freshman, OF)
 
Community Coffee Newcomer of the Year
Jake Wright, Coastal Carolina (Sophomore, OF)
 
Community Coffee Ron Maestri Coach of the Year
Ty Harrington, Texas State
 
 
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