TYLER, Texas – The No. 12 Angelo State baseball team collected 10 all-conference honors Wednesday evening as the Lone Star Conference announced its postseason awards at the league's annual postseason banquet.
Headlining the honors was
Austin Beck, who was named the LSC Academic Player of the Year.
A redshirt senior pursuing his MBA, Beck earned the award after maintaining a 4.00 GPA. The second baseman is also the recipient of the Angelo State Male Athletic Excellence Award, a two-time LSC Baseball All-Academic Team selection (2023, 2026) and a multiple-time member of the LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll.
On the field, Beck continues to add to one of the most decorated careers in Division II history. He became the first player in NCAA Division II history to surpass 300 career runs scored and currently owns the all-time record with 308. The Allen native boasts a .370 batting average while adding 20 doubles and seven home runs. His 45 stolen bases lead the conference.
Chase Pendley represented the Rams on the LSC All-Defensive Team in his first full season at first base. Pendley posted a .998 fielding percentage with 396 putouts while helping turn 42 double plays.
Angelo State also placed eight players on the All-LSC teams.
Beck and Pendley earned first-team honors at their respective positions. Pendley hit .361 during the regular season while leading the conference with 73 hits and ranking third in the LSC with 59 RBIs.
Garrett Baumann,
Payton Bush and
Brett Smajstrla were named to the All-LSC Second Team. Baumann posted a 4.04 ERA and a 9-5 record across a team-high 22 appearances while placing fifth in the conference with 60 strikeouts. Bush hit .358 and was one of three Rams to start every game this season, ranking second in the LSC with 65 runs scored. Smajstrla earned second-team recognition after leading Angelo State with a .371 batting average and a 1.122 OPS across 47 games. He also ranks second in the conference with six triples and is tied for the team lead with seven home runs.
Nick Gray,
Blake Wilhoite and
Tate Greene rounded out the honors with All-LSC Third Team selections. Gray compiled a 3.68 ERA and a 6-1 record in nine starts while holding opposing hitters to a .172 batting average. Wilhoite owns a .544 on-base percentage, the third-highest mark in the conference. Greene earned all-conference recognition after batting .330 with an .856 OPS.
The Rams will open bracket play at the Lone Star Conference Championship on Thursday, May 7, against third-seeded St. Mary's. First pitch from Irwin Field in Tyler, Texas is scheduled for 2 p.m.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Academic Player of the Year:
Austin Beck
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Chase Pendley, 1B, Sr., Prosper, Texas
ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Chase Pendley, 1B, Sr., Prosper, Texas
Austin Beck, 2B, Sr., Allen, Texas
SECOND TEAM
Garrett Baumann, RP, Sr., Poth, Texas
Payton Bush, SS, Jr. Amarillo, Texas
Brett Smajstrla, DH, Jr., Pearland, Texas
THIRD TEAM
Nick Gray, SP, Jr., Forney, Texas
Blake Wilhoite, C, Sr., Midlothian, Texas
Tate Greene, 3B, Fr., Allen, Texas
