SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Three Southern Conference student-athletes earned spots on the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American team, powered by Diamond, which was announced Tuesday.

Mercer outfielder Colby Thomas, UNC Greensboro outfielder Pres Cavenaugh and Wofford right-handed pitcher O’Kelly McWilliams earned the honor.

This marks the sixth straight year that Mercer has had a player named to Collegiate Baseball’s Freshman All-American Team. Thomas joins Angelo DiSpigna (2019), Le Bassett (2018), RJ Yeager (2018), Zach Graveno (2017), Robert Broom (2016), and Trey Truitt (2015) as Bears who have earned the honors since Mercer joined the SoCon.

Mercer’s Thomas hit .333 with five home runs, nine doubles and 18 RBI during the shortened season. The Valdosta, Georgia, also swiped six bases to the Bears in doubles, home runs, RBI and stolen bases. Thomas stood out in the Bears' midweek matchup at Florida State, as he hit two home runs and drove in and scored three runs.

UNCG’s Cavenaugh become the first Spartan to receive the recognition since Caleb Webster in 2017. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native led the Spartans with a .452 batting average in 17 games, while tallying an on base percentage of .500 and slugging .548. 

The freshman highlighted the season with a walk-off RBI single in mid-February, during UNCG's first no-hitter in program history. In addition to his work at the plate, Cavenaugh proved himself one of the best baserunners in the Southern Conference as well, stealing seven bags over 16 appearances, without getting thrown out a single time. 

Wofford’s McWilliams became the eighth Terrier to earn the honor, joining Matt Lein (2002), J.D. Melton (2006), Michael Gilmartin (2007), Jake Williams (2008), Colin Davis (2018), John Dempsey (2019) and Hayes Heinecke (2019). 

The Oakton, Virginia, native went 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA over four appearances. McWilliams punched out 18 batters with just four walks over 10 innings of work, leading Wofford in strikeouts and was second in innings pitched. He picked up his lone win of the shortened season over Brown on March 4, striking out nine batters over five innings out of the bullpen.

For the complete Collegiate Baseball release, click here.