Press Release via LSUE Athletics
EUNICE, La. – The duo of Blake Lobell and Dawson Willis were the two LSU Eunice representatives on the 2024 NJCAA Baseball All-Region 23 team, the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) recently announced. The 12-member team was voted on by the 16 head coaches encompassing NJCAA Region 23.
With the nominations, Lobell and Willis are now eligible for NJCAA All-American honors which will be released next week.
Lobell caps off one of the most prolific single seasons for a pitcher in LSUE history. The sophomore ace led the team and all of the NJCAA with 129 strikeouts, the third most in a single season in LSUE history. His14-0 record was second most in wins in the NJCAA, behind teammate Owen Schexnaydre, adding a 2.04 earned run average, tossing three complete games in 101.2 innings.
The right-hander was an All-Tournament team selection in the NJCAA Division II World Series, making two starts with a win and 14 strikeouts. During the Bengals’ postseason run, he totaled 24 punchouts in three starts with a 2.21 ERA.
The Southeastern Louisiana signee ends his LSUE career sixth in career ERA (2.33), ninth in wins (20) and seventh in strikeouts (177). Lobell was the lynchpin behind a Bengal pitching staff that set new season records in team ERA (2.43), strikeouts (635) and opponents’ batting average (.199).
His Region 23 selection makes it six consecutive seasons that LSUE has placed a pitcher on the All-Region team. Lobell joins Connor Benge (2023), Patrick Vienne (2022), Jerry Couch (2021), Dane Dixon (2019) and Zach Hester (2018).
Willis, meanwhile, puts a bow on a stellar career at LSUE making 110 starts at shortstop. The leadoff batter led NJCAA Division II in runs (90) and was top five in walks (70) and stolen bases (54). He would slash .329/.505/.525, all top four in the potent LSUE offense. He led the team in hits (72) and was second in runs batted in (52).
The NJCAA Division II World Series Most Valuable Player saved his best for last, leading the team with a .500 batting average (8-for-16) with seven runs scored and seven stolen bases while helping turn three double plays.
The University of Oklahoma bound infielder leaves the Cajun Prairie ranked tops in career runs (153), walks (101) and stolen bases (82), and third in on-base percentage (.492).
LSU Eunice captured the program’s eighth NJCAA Division II National Championship with a 56-8 record. The Bengals rolled through the Region 23 Tournament with an undefeated record, and finished the title run with a 9-3 win over Brunswick Community College.
2024 NJCAA Baseball All-Region 23 Team
P Blake Lobell, LSU Eunice, Sophomore, Springfield, LA
P Landon Waters, Meridian CC, Sophomore, Duck Hill, MS
P Luke Cooley, East Central CC, Sophomore, Waynesboro, MS
C Blaise Priester, Meridian CC, Sophomore, Denham Springs, LA
INF Hollis Porter, Pearl River CC, R-Freshman, Hurley, MS
INF Brady Thomas, Jones College, Sophomore, Brandon, MS
INF Jeff Ince, Pearl River CC, R-Sophomore, Brandon, MS
INF Dawson Willis, LSU Eunice, Sophomore, Ruston, LA
OF Bryce Fowler, Pearl River CC, R-Sophomore, Madison, MS
OF Mo Little, East Central CC, Sophomore, Brandon, MS
OF Cameron Hill, Hinds CC, Sophomore, Madison, MS
DH Thomas Marsala, Hinds CC, Sophomore, Monroe, LA