Fayetteville, N.C. - The USA South has released its 2018 All-Conference awards in the sport of baseball. North Carolina Wesleyan had six players garner recognition, led by freshman Drew Tubb's Rookie Pitcher of the Year honor.

A native of Tampa, Florida, Tubb becomes the first Battling Bishop since 2009 to earn USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors in the sport of baseball. He has posted a 4-2 record in eight appearances, all starts. In 48.1 innings pitched, Tubb has compiled a 2.98 ERA with 23 strikeouts. Against USA South-only foes, he notched a 3-2 mark with a 2.82 ERA. Finally, Tubb was named USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Week twice this season.

Joining him as honorees were Second Team All-Conference selections Nate Gardner at pitcher and Brad Pennington at second base. Gardner, a junior from Hertford, went 3-1 with a save in conference action, boasting a team-best 2.27 ERA and 48 strikeouts against league opponents. A sophomore from Wilmington, Pennington batted a solid .338 in USA South action this spring and led the team in both doubles (10) and RBI (28). 

The Bishops also had two players garner Honorable Mention status as sophomore Alec Titmus and junior Max Johnson were recognized at shortstop and in the outfield, respectively. Titmus currently leads the team with a .346 batting average, while Johnson has blasted a team-high eight homeruns.

Junior Christian Heisey rounded out NCWC's honorees as a member of the league's All-Sportsmanship Team.

Elsewhere around the conference,  Piedmont's Brady Ballstadt was named Player of the Year, Ferrum's Jacob Holland collected Pitcher of the Year honors, and LaGrange's Jack Layrisson earned Rookie of the Year accolades, while Methodist's Tom Austin was named Coach of the Year. 

To view the entire 2018 All-Conference Team in the sport of baseball, please visit http://usasouth.net/sports/bsb/2017-18/releases/20180330kwbr90.