Fikes and Michener Placed on Preseason All-Southland Conference Teams
2/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Complete Southland Conference Release
FRISCO, Texas - A pair of Stephen F. Austin baseball senior outfielders - Conner Fikes and Zac Michener - were placed on the list of Preseason All-Southland Conference performers it was announced by the league office in a press release issued today.
Fikes, a product of Rowlett, Texas, earned Preseason All-Southland Conference First Team recognition while Michener collected Preseason All-Southland Conference Second Team laurels.
A 2016 All-Southland Conference First Team selection in 2016, Fikes set the standard by which all Lumberjack hitters were measured a season ago, leading the squad and ranking third in the Southland Conference with a batting average of .362.
In 56 games played, he totaled 77 hits - the fifth-most among all Southland Conference players. No man in the 13-team conference smacked more triples than the seven Fikes had to his credit last season and that extra-base power helped him finish ninth in the conference in slugging percentage with a mark of .488. His eight sacrifice flies in 2016 represented another Southland Conference best.
The reigning Southland Conference Newcomer of the Year, Michener’s insertion into the ‘Jacks’ lineup in 2016 paid dividends almost immediately. Hailing from Kennedale, Texas, the outfielder played in 57 of SFA’s 60 games and finished his inaugural season in the SFA ranks among the league’s top 20 in terms of batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
At the plate, Michener constructed a slash line of .322/.415/.459, placing him 16th, 12th and 18th respectively in the 13-team Southland Conference. His .459 on-base percentage came as a result of his 31 walks, making him one of just 10 players in the league who drew 30 or more walks one season ago.
Defensively, Michener frequently put his arm strength on display from right field as he racked up eight outfield assists through the course of his first NCAA Division I campaign.
Fikes, Michener and the rest of the ‘Jacks are set to open their 2017 season at Jaycees Field on Friday night. Heading down to the Lone Star State to oppose SFA in its first action of the season is 2016 Ohio Valley Conference regular season and tournament champion Southeast Missouri State. First pitch between the ‘Jacks and the Redhawks is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
-SFA-
