LYNCHBURG, VA. (NCBWA) – University of Miami catcher Zach Collins and College of Charleston right-handed pitcher Bailey Ober have been named the 2014 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association National Freshman Hitter and Pitcher of the Year recipients, as announced by the organization today.
Collins posted a .298 batting average with 54 RBIs and 32 runs scored for the Miami Hurricanes this season. In 61 games, the catcher collected 14 doubles and hit 11 home runs to record a .556 slugging percentage. In addition, he finished with a .427 on base percentage and tied for the team-lead with 114 total bases.
Starting 58 games, the Pembroke Pines, Fla., native was named the 2014 Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year, helping the Hurricanes record a 44-19 mark and capture the ACC Coastal Division title. The Hurricanes finished the year ranked No. 22 in the latest NCBWA Weekly Poll.
Collins led the ACC in RBI, while tying for the conference lead in home runs. The catcher also was listed among the ACC leaders in slugging percentage (2nd), on-base percentage (9th) and total bases (2nd). An All-ACC third team selection, Collins was named to NCBWA Freshman All-America first team and to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Ober led the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and ranked 16th nationally with a 1.52 ERA over a team-leading 106.2 innings during his first collegiate season at College of Charleston. The right-hander completed the year with a 10-3 record over 17 appearances. He struck out 85 and walked 19, holding opponent batters to a .192 batting average. In addition, he pitched two complete games and a shutout and did not allow more than three runs in any of his 14 starts in 2014.
The Huntersville, N.C., native finished the year with a .862 WHIP (Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched), which leads all freshman pitchers and is currently the seventh best in the country. Ober also led the CAA in ERA and opponent batting average, while pitching the second most innings in the conference. The right-hander’s 2014 ERA ranks third on the College of Charleston all-time list.
Ober was named the 2014 CAA Rookie of the Year and the CAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, helping College of Charleston post a 41-19 record and claim the NCAA Gainesville, Fla., Regional title. The Cougars finished their year ranked No. 16 in the latest NCBWA poll.
An All-CAA first team member, Ober was named to the NCBWA Freshman All-America first team and to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America team by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
