POPLARVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference announced its yearly awards Monday, and the Pearl River baseball team had a conference-best 10 awards.
The Wildcats snatched two major awards, with skipper Michael Avalon being named Coach of the Year and first baseman Hollis Porter (Hurley; East Central) snatching Player of the Year. Additionally, Thomas Crabtree (Collierville, Tenn.), Bryce Fowler (Madison; Germantown), Jeff Ince (Brandon; Jackson Prep) and Porter were named First Team All-MACCC. JP Robertson (Madison; Germantown), JT Schnoor (Resurrection; Pascagoula) and Caston Thompson (Jayess; Brookhaven) were named Second Team. Marshall Phillips (Hattiesburg; Sumrall) took home Honorable Mention.
MICHAEL AVALON
After guiding Pearl River to one of the best seasons in its history, head coach Michael Avalon earned MACCC Coach of the Year. Playing its most competitive schedule to date, the Wildcats racked up a school-record 49 wins, won the MACCC for the third time in four years, went on a school-record 29-game winning streak and were ranked inside the Top-5 in every NJCAA poll on the year. The Wildcats ended the year among the best in the nation in several statistical categories. They were second in ERA (2.94), second in strikeouts (561), third in WHIP (1.30), third in RBIS (468), third in homers (85), fifth in hits (609), fifth in slugging percentage (.569), fifth in runs allowed (186), fifth in earned runs (149) and sixth in strikeouts per nine innings (11.06).
“This is a humbling award when you look at how competitive the MACCC is,” Avalon said. “Thank you to the players, who 100 percent are the ones deserving of awards. I am just thankful to coach these young men and be a small part of their lives.”
HOLLIS PORTER
The slugging Porter put together one of the most impressive seasons in Pearl River history in 2024, earning him MACCC Player of the Year. The Mississippi State transfer wrapped up the year with a .399 batting average, a .488 on-base percentage and a .827 slugging percentage. He bashed a single-season program-record 20 home runs and added in 21 doubles and four triples. His 73 RBIs rank second on the single-season leaderboard. He walked 31 times and racked up 83 hits on the year. He was also named First Team All-MACCC.
“What an honor to be the Player of the Year in the toughest league in the country,” head coach Michael Avalon said. “Statistically, Hollis sits at the top of several categories for a season in the history of Pearl River. If you know the tradition and all the special players that have come through Pearl River, then you understand how amazing this season has been. Maybe more impressive was watching the work this young man put in every day during the season to create and maintain the success.”
THOMAS CRABTREE
Crabtree put together a freshman campaign for the history books for the Wildcats this season. The right-hander tossed 76 innings, held a 2.96 ERA and racked up 10 wins on the year. He struck out a stellar 105 and walked just 28. His 105 strikeouts are the third-most in a single season in PRCC history. Crabtree also limited the baserunners, ending the year with a 1.16 WHIP.
“In my eight years at Pearl River, Thomas has had the most impressive campaign on the mound as a freshman that I can remember,” Avalon said. “He’s a true competitor and wants the baseball in any situation. Thomas has dreams to pitch at a high level and I have enjoyed watching him mature and work on his craft. There’s no doubt that he will go far in this game.”
BRYCE FOWLER
Fowler was one of the best table-setters in the country during the 2024 season. The left-handed hitter wrapped up the season with a team-high .419 batting average to go along with 14 doubles, 11 homers and four triples. He drove in 52 runs, walked 24 times and stole 24 bases. His 88 hits on the season are the second-most in a single season in program history. The Campbell signee also had an on-base percentage of .500 and a slugging percentage of .681.
“I am super proud of Bryce and this accomplishment,” Avalon said. “When Bryce goes, we go. It was a remarkable season, and his teammates felt his impact every day. Bryce set the tone for each game and was an electric player for us at the top of the lineup. I enjoyed watching him mature as a player and a leader.”
JEFF INCE
Ince got it done wherever the Wildcats needed him during the 2024 season, flipping between the two-hole and the four-hole in the batting order. The switch-hitter was a nightmare for any arm, finishing the year with a .411 batting average, .514 on-base percentage and .632 slugging percentage. The Samford signee finished the year with 12 doubles, eight homers and three triples. He racked up 78 hits, scored a single-season record 82 runs and drove in 43 runs.
“This award is well deserved. Jeff is one of the few players that I have coached over the years that is a complete player,” Avalon said. “Jeff is a young man who did everything asked of him on the field. He defended, hit for average, hit for power, scored runs, drove in runs, stole bases and most importantly, he showed up every day with toughness and set the example for his teammates.”
JP ROBERTSON
Robertson was another freshman arm that made a massive impact. Robertson was handed the ball against some of PRCC’s most formidable opponents throughout the year and had a lot of success. He ended his season with a 3.14 ERA across 63 innings pitched. The right-hander struck out 79 batters against 25 walks and had a WHIP of 1.22.
“JP is one of the most humble and hardworking young men that we have coached,” Avalon said. “There’s still more to learn and room to develop, but we thank him for his work ethic and willingness to trust his coaches. He pitched in many big games as a freshman, and that experience will be invaluable moving forward.”
JT SCHNOOR
Schnoor was another big part of PRCC’s starting rotation in 2024. The future Mississippi State Bulldog shined when called upon, finishing the year with a 3.52 ERA across 71 2/3 innings. He struck out 96 batters on the year and walked just 28. His 12 wins on the campaign top the Pearl River records book for most in a single season.
“We are very happy for JT and his family,” Avalon said. “We absolutely enjoyed watching JT develop and grow into an All-Conference player. It’s been really special. We knew out of high school that he had all the potential, and we have been honored to work with him and help him reach his goals.”
CASTON THOMPSON
Thompson battled injuries throughout the season but still put together an incredible redshirt freshman season. The left-handed power hitter ended the year with a .362 batting average across 39 games. He racked up eight doubles, eight homers and 38 RBIs throughout the year. He walked 22 times and struck out just four times.
“I am thrilled and happy for Caston,” Avalon said. “Throughout his career, he has battled different injuries and setbacks but never felt sorry for himself and continued to work. His presence made our lineup complete, and he produced in a big way throughout the year.”
MARSHALL PHILLIPS
Phillips was steady all season long for Pearl River. He started every game in left field for the Wildcats, hitting .330 with 58 RBIs, 16 doubles, eight homers and two triples. He walked a team-high 35 times and swiped 11 bases. In the outfield, he threw out four runners trying to score at the plate.
“I am thrilled for Marshall and his family,” Avalon said. “I said it all year long — Marshall Phillips is Pearl River. Guys like him are what you hope for when recruiting young men. Good players and good people who work hard and love Pearl River.”
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