NEED TO KNOW:
Piedmont Honorees:
Kyle Carlson
Cole Ellis
Owen Helgesen
Kolton Hicks
Tyler Nelson
GREENWOOD, Ind. - The College Sports Communicators (CSC) released their Academic All-District teams for baseball with the Lions landing five on the list.
Juniors
Cole Ellis and
Tyler Nelson earned the honor for the second year in a row while
Owen Helgesen,
Kolton Hicks and
Kyle Carlson took the honors for the first time.
The 2023-24 Academic All-District® Baseball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Kyle Carlson spent most of his season holding down third base for the Lions starting 40 of 42 contests this season. He hit .255 for the Lions with 37 hits including 11 doubles, marking the second best total for doubles on the team.
Cole Ellis was a staple in the outfield for the Lions starting 30 games while battling injury. He posted a .331 batting average with 41 hits and 16 RBI while striking out just nine times through 124 at bats.
Owen Helgesen started 28 games serving as Piedmont's first baseman until he was sidelined by injury for the final portion of the year. He hit .258 with 23 hits and 15 RBI over the 2024 season.
Kolton Hicks anchored the middle infield missing just one game during the season. He split time between second base and shortstop defensively and contributed 26 hits and 29 walks.
Tyler Nelson appeared in 37 contests earning 35 starts working behind the plate. He posted a .237 batting average adding 28 hits while posting just five errors as a catcher.
The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2022-23 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs.
