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Baseball Snags Multiple AAC Awards Including Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year
Posted: Apr 29, 2025

Baseball Snags Multiple AAC Awards Including Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year

WALESKA, Ga.- The conference office announced the end-of-the-year awards for baseball on Tuesday. Tennessee Wesleyan had multiple players win Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) awards, including the Player of the Year and the Newcomer of the Year. The awards are sponsored by WinWon.

Daniel Stewart was named the Player of the Year. Stewart was second in the conference in batting average, hitting .442 in 47 games during the regular season. In conference games, Stewart had a .482 batting average. The senior leads the conference in RBIs with 68 RBIs, including 46 during AAC play. The Hazel Green, Ala., native is tied for third in the conference with 18 home runs. Stewart had 80 hits on the season and has scored 36 runs as a catcher and designated hitter. Stewart is second in the conference with a .964 slugging percentage in AAC play.

Taking home the Newcomer of the Year award was Kolton Reynolds. The junior outfielder was fourth in the conference in batting average, hitting .407 in 46 games. In conference games, Reynolds batted .444. In conference games, Reynolds leads in RBIs (50) and slugging percentage (1.019). For the season, Reynolds had 63 RBIs, third in the conference. A total of 21 home runs places Reynolds in second place in the conference. 

Joining Stewart (Catcher) and Reynolds (Outfield) on the All-AAC First Team were Blake Peyton (Starting Pitcher), Josh Shelly (Third Base), Corbin Shaw (Extra Infielder), and Chris Catalano (Outfield). 

Earning a spot on the All-AAC Second Team was Daniel Batcher (Starting Pitcher), and Kruise Newman (Outfield). 

Stewart was also named the winner of the Gold Glove at catcher while Devin Dixon was named to the Gold Glove winner at shortstop. 

Catalano was named the team's representative to the AAC Champions of Character Team. To be named to the Champions of Character Team, a player must exhibit the NAIA's Five Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership.

Earning a spot on the AAC All-Academic Team were Batcher, Julian Berinti, Catalano, Dixon, Hagen Escoto, Ayden Mansfield, Jordan Massis, Peyton, Shelly, and Jacob Tolson.