BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The West Virginia State baseball team placed five of its players on the 2024 All-Mountain East Conference Baseball shortlist. Junior Chris Morris earned one of the conference's major annual awards as this season's Pitcher of the Year. Joining him on the All-MEC First Team were first baseman Mike Huber and shortstop Kyle Waters. Center fielder Nathan Paulsen made the All-MEC Second Team, along with Morris for his play in right field. Left fielder Ryan Kay was awarded an honorable mention from the league, completing the recognition of State's starting outfielders.

Morris was named the Mountain East Conference's Pitcher of the Year after transferring from Pitt Community College and becoming State's ace on the mound this season. He ranks second in the MEC in ERA (2.61), opposing batting average (.194) and batters struck out (76). He posted a 7-2 record with three complete game performances and four outings of at least 5.0 innings in which he did not allow a run to be scored.

Morris also earned All-MEC Second Team honors for his contributions as a power-hitting right fielder. He ranks second in the league in home runs with 13 on the season. His home run prowess resulted in the second-best slugging percentage (.616) on the team. Meanwhile, his canon of an arm in right field made base runners question tagging up all season.

Huber went from an honorable mention last season to an All-MEC First Team selection this year. He led the conference in slugging percentage (.814), on-base plus slugging percentage (1.333), home runs (16) and walks (39). He also ranked in the top five in the league in on-base percentage (.519), runs batted in (54) and doubles (14). He placed in the top 10 in batting average (.386) and hits (56). He maintained a perfect fielding percentage (1.000) with more chances (334) than any other player in the MEC. He led the conference in putouts (322) and double plays fielded (34).

Waters garnered All-MEC First Team honors as the clearcut top shortstop in the league. He hit .363 on the season while leading his team in hits (61) and runs scored (46). He ranks in the top five of the MEC in both categories. His bat was not without pop as he racked up 10 doubles, five triples and seven home runs. His 120 assists on outs made in the field was the second-best tally in the conference. 

Paulsen bumped up from an honorable mention a season ago to an All-MEC Second Team honoree. He posted a .311 batting average with nine home runs, eight doubles, 33 RBIs and 34 runs scored. His combination of range and arm strength in center field was an absolute asset to his team and a demoralizing detriment to opponents. He only made three errors in the outfield while registering 87 putouts and six assists. His 87 putouts were third only to the team's first baseman and catcher.

Kay received an honorable mention from the MEC, making it his second-consecutive season with league honors. He recorded an impressive .333 batting average with 10 doubles, two home runs, 31 RBIs and 33 runs scored. His hustle was unmatched whether he was running the base paths or chasing down a foul ball.

The Yellow Jackets qualified for the 2024 MEC Baseball Tournament at GoMart Ballpark as the third-place team in the highly-competitive South Division. They will take on the No. 1 seed in the North Division, Frostburg State, tomorrow at 7 p.m. on opening day of the double-elimination conference tournament.