Considering how good he has been all season long, it should be no surprise that Colten Schmidt was named on Monday as the Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Year.
He is the third player in the last five season to receive the honor, joining Gunner Leger in 2017 and Carson Baranik in 2014.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the other members in your conference as the best in your league,” head coach Tony Robichaux said in a release from the university. “Colten had to spend a lot of last season working while he waited, and it has paid off for him this year. He didn’t let his adversity keep him from reaching his potential, and that’s why he is one of the best players in our league. I appreciate the other coaches who took the time to vote for our players. To have your peers vote for you means a lot. All three of our guys that were selected have had to overcome adversity at some point in their career. I am glad that they stayed working and are being recognized for their hard work and effort.”
Schmidt ranked third in the nation in walks allowed per nine innings, sixth in strikeout to walk ratio, and seventh in WHIP and had a league best 1.93 ERA along with a spotless 7-0 record in 14 starts.
Other Cajuns receiving postseason accolades includes Daniel Lahare and Kennon Fontenot as second team selections.
All-Sun Belt Baseball First Team
Jason Bilous (Coastal Carolina, Junior, SP)
Brian Eichhorn (Georgia Southern, Junior, SP)
Colten Schmidt (Louisiana, Senior, SP)
Justin Garcia (Little Rock, Senior, RP)
Nick Gatewood (Georgia State, Junior, C)
Kevin Woodall, Jr. (Coastal Carolina, Senior, 1B)
Cory Wood (Coastal Carolina, Sophomore, 2B)
Seth Lancaster (Coastal Carolina, Senior, SS)
Drew Frederic (Troy, Sophomore, 3B)
Dylan Hardy (South Alabama, Junior, OF)
Travis Swaggerty (South Alabama, Junior, OF)
Joey Denison (Troy, Senior, OF)
Jeremy Brown (Arkansas State, Senior, UTIL)
Zach Bierman (Coastal Carolina, Junior, DH)
All-Sun Belt Baseball Second Team
Hunter Gaddis (Georgia State, Sophomore, SP)
Tyler Carr (South Alabama, Senior, SP)
Andrew Crane (Troy, Senior, SP)
Matt Eardensohn (Coastal Carolina, Junior, RP)
Carter Perkins (South Alabama, Junior, C)
Kyle MacDonald (Arkansas State, Junior, 1B)
Jonathan Ortega (Texas State, Junior, 2B)
Matt Sanders (Troy, Senior, SS)
Brendan Donovan (South Alabama, Junior, 3B)
Parker Chavers (Coastal Carolina, Freshman, OF)
Daniel Lahare (Louisiana, Junior, OF)
Rigsby Mosley (Troy, Freshman, OF)
Kennon Fontenot (Louisiana, Senior, UTIL)
Ryan Glass (Georgia State, Freshman, DH)
Sun Belt Baseball Player of the Year
Joey Denison (Troy, Senior, OF)
Sun Belt Baseball Pitcher of the Year
Colten Schmidt (Louisiana, Senior, SP)
Sun Belt Baseball Freshman of the Year
Rigsby Mosley (Troy, Freshman, OF)
Sun Belt Baseball Newcomer of the Year
Kyle MacDonald (Arkansas State, Junior, 1B)
Sun Belt Baseball Ron Maestri Coach of the Year
Gary Gilmore, Coastal Carolina
-Clint Domingue