VALDOSTA — Two Valdosta State baseball players were named to the 2024 National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) All-South Region First Team. Sophomore Dennis Pierce (utility) and Junior Hunter Stowe (designated hitter) were both named to the first team after their tremendous 2024 campaign for Blazer baseball.

In his first year in Titletown, Dennis Pierce put the region on notice. The slugger from Quakertown, Pennsylvania, hit .380 while starting in all 48 games at either left field, first base, or third base.

Pierce led the Gulf South Conference and was 20th nationally in RBI with 68 while ranking second in the GSC in slugging (.742), OBP (.530), and OPS (1.272). Pierce led the team in hits, runs, triples, home runs, RBI, and walks. The slugger was recently named to the 2024 All-GSC First Team back on May 3.

Junior Hunter Stowe was an anchor at the designated hitter position this past season, as Stowe started in 46 of the 48 games while batting .340 and driving in 50 Blazers. Stowe ranked first on the team and tied for second in the league in doubles with 19.

Stowe was second on the team in home runs, as he mashed eight bombs on the 2024 campaign. During the Gulf South Conference Tournament, Stowe went 7-12 with two home runs and four RBI while drawing five walks, which placed him on the All-Tournament Team on top of All-GSC First Team back in early May.

West Florida’s Darrien McDowell Jr. was named Player of the Year while Tampa’s Skyler Gonzalez Sr. and Joe Urso were named Pitcher of the Year and Coach of the Year.