University of Delaware Athletics
Sullivan IV Earns Co-Rookie of the Year, Six Blue Hens Earn All-CAA Postseason Honors
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The University of Delaware baseball team led by freshman Billy Sullivan IV (CAA Co-Rookie of the Year) and junior Kyle Baker (CAA first team) placed five individuals on the Colonial Athletic Association the conference announced Tuesday afternoon.
The Blue Hens first CAA Rookie of the Year selection since Alex Buchholz in 2006, Sullivan IV (New Castle, Del./St. Mark’s HS) shares this season’s CAA Rookie of the Year award with Ian Fair of Northeastern. The right-hander pitched to a record of 6-3 this season with an ERA of 3.15. Sullivan struck out a team-high 84 batters over his 65.2 innings pitched. A two-time CAA Pitcher of the Week (Mar. 26; Apr. 17) and Rookie of the Week (Feb. 20; May 7) selection, Sullivan struck out double-digit batters twice this season and struck out at least eight batters six times. In addition to the Rookie of the Year honors, Sullivan also was selected to the third team and the CAA All-Rookie Team.
"This is a well-deserved recognition for a great freshman year," head coach Jim Sherman said. "Billy’s got a bright future and we look forward to his first college playoff start and him helping us defend our CAA Championship. He has been electric at times this season, and it is nice to see our conference appreciate the talent that Billy brings,"
Coming off another strong season, Baker (Wilmington, Del./Wilmington Charter) was selected to the CAA first team for the first time in his career. A former Freshman All-American selection, Baker hit .349 this season with 68 base hits. The Delaware product recorded 14 extra-base hits, stole nine bags and drove in 37 runs. He scored 27
Sullivan IV was joined on the CAA third team by first baseman Nick Patten (Butler, Pa./IMG Academy) and outfielders Kevin Mohollen (Rose Valley, Pa./Strath-Haven) and Calvin Scott (Newark, Del./St Mark’s HS).
A preseason All-CAA selection, Patten hit .243 this season with a team-best 22 extra-base hits. The slugger hit a team-best eight homers and drove in 29, recording an on-base percentage of .388. Delaware’s Defensive Player of the Year, Patten made just a pair of errors in 430 attempts.
Another Delaware native, Scott hit .286 this season with eight doubles, four homers
The team leader in runs scored (44), Mohollen hit .290 this season with an on-base percentage of .412. A threat on the base paths, the centerfielder stole 14 bases in 18 attempts and hit a team-leading 14 doubles. In the field, Mohollen recorded four outfield assists, making just three errors in 113 attempts. Delaware was also well represented on the 10-person CAA All-Rookie team, as Sullivan IV and shortstop Jordan Hutchins earned the All-Rookie honors.
A native of Dover, Hutchins finished the season with an average of .310, recording eight extra-base hits in 113 at-bats. The infielder drove in 14 runs and scored 13 runs, stealing six bases in eight attempts. In the field, Hutchins made just four errors, recording a fielding percentage of .964. A CAA Rookie of the Week selection (Apr. 23), Hutchins finished with the second highest batting average on the team.
"I'm also glad to see our six guys earn conference recognition from the head coaches," Sherman added. "Our six honorees are a big reason why we're in the position that we are in. Extremely proud of our guys."
The Blue Hens open postseason play Wednesday morning against UNCW. First pitch from JMU’s Veterans Park is set for 11 a.m.
