FAYETTEVILLE — Methodist baseball player Matthias Carter earned an honorable mention on the 2017 USA South all-conference squad, released Wednesday by the league office.
Carter, a Pembroke native and former Purnell Swett standout, is enjoying a productive freshman campaign for the Monarchs.
“I really wasn’t expected it, but it’s cool,” said Carter, who became the first Monarch since 2014 to be recognized by the conference with postseason recognition and the first freshman position player to garner the accolade since 2011.
“I’ve definitely gotten better just working over the summer. Seeing that as a freshman, you just want to keep on moving forward to first-team all-conference and from there keep going up.”
A shortstop and leadoff hitter for Methodist, Carter sits third on the team with a .331 batting average and is tied for the team lead with a .500 slugging percentage. He ranks in the top 10 in Division III with five triples and paces the team with nine doubles on the year. He also has one home run, 20 RBIs, 34 runs scored, 12 stolen bases and sits eighth in the nation with 28 walks.
“I’m not surprised,” Purnell Swett baseball coach Bryan McDonald said. “We felt when he headed to Methodist he would get to start immediately and be a big-time contributor. He had the kind of year we expected him to have. He just kept rolling after an outstanding senior year in high school.”
For Carter, the honor is motivation to keep improving while helping a team that has struggled to a 15-20 record this season.
“I don’t just want individual recognition; I want to get better to help our team win,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m glad I did get it because it makes me happy that my hard work has paid off.”
LaGrange nearly swept the end-of-the-year awards as Casey Bell was named Player of the Year, Ryan Broaderick earned Pitcher of the Year, Richie Post claimed Rookie Pitcher of the Year and David Kelton was named Coach of the Year. Dominick Claxton of Ferrum rounded out the awards as he was named Rookie of the Year.
Methodist returns to action on Wednesday at 5 p.m. against Virginia Wesleyan at Armstrong-Shelley Field.
