OFFICIAL RELEASE
MACON, Ga. – Five Kennesaw State baseball players earned spots on the Atlantic Sun All-Conference Teams, the league announced on Monday, May 21.
Stephen Janas,
Kal Simmons,
Peyton Hart,
Max Pentecost and
Alex Liquori were all honored as the A-Sun released its annual awards list.
Janas (Marietta, Ga./Lassiter HS) and Simmons (Nashville, Ga./Berrien HS) each landed a spot on the All-A-Sun First Team while Hart (Sandy Cross, Ga./Franklin County HS) and Pentecost (Winder, Ga./Winder-Barrow HS) were named to the Second Team. Simmons also earned All-Freshmen Team honors as did Liquori (Brooks, Ga./Whitewater HS).
“The A-Sun has such a good amount of high-level players this year,” said Kennesaw State head coach
Mike Sansing. “So for us to get that many players recognized, it’s truly an honor.”
Janas, a junior right-handed starting pitcher, currently holds the second lowest ERA in the nation at 0.81 and shattered the A-Sun single-season ERA record set back in the 1995 season of 1.20. One of just four unanimous picks on the A-Sun First Team, Janas holds an 8-0 record on the year and is undefeated in conference play at 7-0, tossing a pair of complete games in the process.
“Every game that Janas goes out there he gives us a good chance to win,” said Sansing. “His story is such a good one after coming back from Tommy John surgery just a year ago. It really shows you his work ethic off the field with him spending so much time working out and rehabbing with our trainer
Chris Archambeault. Every time out there he competes and he just knows how to pitch.”
A standout freshman shortstop, Simmons earns the A-Sun’s top honors after playing and starting in 46 games for the Owls, compiling a batting average of .317 with 27 RBI in his inaugural collegiate season. In the field, Simmons led the team in assists with 140 while laying down 10 sacrifice bunts, making him one of just two freshman to earn First Team honors.
“Kal comes out every day and plays one of the most difficult positions for us,” said Sansing of his freshman shortstop. “He’s done extremely well for us both at the plate and in the field and he’s going to continue to get better and grow as a player.”
A senior captain and a four-year starter for KSU, Hart earns A-Sun-Second Team accolades after putting together a solid season at third base for the Owls. The veteran is currently ranked in the Top 25 nationally with his 12 sacrifice bunts and is one of just two players on the roster to have started in all 54 games.
Pentecost has quickly risen to the top of the conference behind the plate, earning a Second Team nod after hitting .299 with 12 doubles, a homer and 23 RBI in the 2013 season. Behind the dish, Pentecost has caught 13 runners attempting to steal, the fifth most in the conference, while playing in 51 games this season, putting together a fielding percentage of .984.
“Peyton and Max both had good years for us,” added Sansing. “They were both just so consistent. Peyton, as always, was a leader both on and off the field as one of our captains and Max had one of the better second halves on our team. They’re both deserving.”
On the All-Freshman Team, Simmons was a unanimous decision with teammate Liquori right behind on the list. Liquori was a mainstay for KSU in rightfield this season, holding a .288 batting average with a pair of homeruns and 21 RBI. The freshman also scored 21 runs while leading the team with 12 stolen bases.
“There are just so many good, young players in this league so I’m happy for those two to get recognized,” said Sansing. “They both had solid years and we’re excited about their future here at KSU.”
The A-Sun All-Conference First, Second and Freshman Teams are voted on by the league’s eight head coaches following the conclusion of the regular season.
The Owls will be back in action on Wednesday, May 22 as the team takes on Florida Gulf Coast in DeLand, Fla. at 5 p.m. ET in the first round of the A-Sun Tournament.
Keep up with Owls baseball all season by following KSU on Twitter
@KSUOwlNation and
@KSUOwlsBaseball, or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.
