Three Sharks Named to NCBWA All-Region Teams

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Three members of the Nova Southeastern baseball team have earned spots on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) All-South Region teams, officials from the organization announced on Friday afternoon. Outfielder Adan Fernandez highlights the honorees with a first-team bid, while shortstop Tyler Epstein receives second-team honors and starting pitcher JP Williams earns honorable mention.

“Well-deserved recognition for our young men who stepped up throughout this year in spite of challenging times,” head coach Laz Gutierrez said. “It’s outstanding to see their skills, hard work and commitment to their teammates and this program being rewarded. Congratulations to Adan, Tyler and JP for on this impressive honor.”

Tied with Tyler Epstein with a team-leading .360 batting average, Adan Fernandez (junior/Miramar, Fla.) was a keystone for the 2021 Sharks in left field, ranking second in the Sunshine State Conference with 11 home runs on the year, listing at 60th in the NCAA for total homers and 14th nationally per game. Fernandez was fourth in the SSC with a team-leading 25 RBI, scoring 21 times himself, thanks to a .486 on-base percentage – 17 of his team-leading 31 hits in play as extra base hits, including five doubles, as well as a team-high 16 walks. Fernandez paced the SSC and ranked 29th in the NCAA with an .802 slugging percentage. On defense, he was perfect on 36 chances in left field. For his 2021 efforts, Fernandez was named to the All-SSC first team among last week’s NSU conference honors.

Also a member of the All-SSC first team, Epstein (freshman/Pembroke Pines, Fla.) was just named the SSC Freshman of the Year and now adds All-Region second team honors to the growing awards stash. Epstein tied with the team-leading .360 average and ranked second in the SSC on a .496 on-base percentage. In addition, he appeared among the SSC Top-5 in runs scored (24) and hits (31) – leading the conference and ranking 24th nationally per game as a hit batsman (0.40). A versatile hitter, Epstein racked up four doubles, two triples and four home runs, bringing in 22 runs on top of his 24 scores. Epstein also collected the second most steals for the Sharks with eight thefts. In the field at shortstop, Epstein had a .950 fielding percentage, pacing the team with 62 assists on top of 34 putouts, playing a part in 14 of the Sharks’ 19 double plays.

Another Sharks All-SSC first-teamer, senior right-handed starting pitcher JP Williams (Melbourne, Fla.) receives All-Region honorable mention after going 3-0 with a 3.38 ERA this season, striking out a team-high 44 batters with only 15 walks in 42.2 innings – earning an SSC fifth-best 1.24 WHIP and limiting opponents to .236 batting.

To stay up with all the latest with Sharks baseball, follow us on Twitter @NSU_Baseball, on Instagram @NSU_Baseball and on Facebook /NSUBaseball.