Butler lands five on All-KJCCC list; Cox named Freshman of the Year
After a Region VI runner-up finish and second place KJCCC West finish this season, five Butler players have made the All-Conference list as announced by the KJCCC office Tuesday afternoon.
Of the five players recognized for their efforts this season, two made first team and three landed on the second team. Jonah Cox and Josh Cameron made first team while Noah Argenta, Zach Nagel and Braden Meek picked up second team honors. Jonah Cox was also selected as the 'Freshman of the Year' in the Jayhawk west. This marks the first 'Freshman of the Year' honor for a Grizzly since the 2010 season when Kyle Kinman won the honor.
"I am so proud of these guys," said head coach BJ McVay. "These guys, along with a few others who didn't make the list, led us this year in different ways. They each played their role and did it very well and I am happy they are being recognized for all of their work throughout the season."
FIRST TEAM:
JONAH COX | FR. SHORTSTOP | THORNTON, CO – FLATIRONS ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
Jonah Cox, freshman short stop from Thornton, CO, was a first team All-KJCCC selection as well as being named 'Freshman of the Year' after an incredible freshman campaign helping the Grizzlies to a Region VI runner-up finish. The freshman started every game this season at short stopl playing all 53-games. Cox hit above .400 much of the season but finished hitting .397 and had an on-base percentage of .485 in KJCCC games. He hit 10 homeruns, 15 doubles and was second in the KJCCC in triples with six. He scored 62 runs on the season and drove in 51 on the year. Cox was second in the Nation and led the KJCCC in stolen bases with 49 on the season. Cox turned the most double plays in conference games this season with 18 and turned 25 total on the year and finished with a .908 fielding percentage in conference.
JOSH CAMERON | SO. OUTFIELDER | PFLUGERVILLE, TX – HENDRICKSON HIGH SCHOOL
Josh Cameron, sophomore from Pflugerville, TX, was named first team All-KJCCC after becoming one of the best power hitters to come through Butler. Cameron hit .412 on the season finishing second in the entire NJCAA in homeruns with 25 in just 52 games played. Cameron ended the year with 73 RBI's and 63 runs scored. He had an on-base percentage of .518 with a slugging percentage of .925, good for second in the KJCCC and third in the Nation. Cameron hit 14 doubles, two triples and had 166 total bases this season. he also led the KJCCC in hit by pitches getting plugged 15 times. Cameron was the designated hitter much of the season but also played a handful of game in right field. Cameron had a fielding percentage of .955 with 29 putouts and three assists on the season.
SECOND TEAM:
NOAH ARGENTA | SO. CATCHER | FAIR GROVE, MO – FAIR GROVE HIGH SCHOOL
Noah Argenta, sophomore from Fair Grove, MO, led the Grizzlies by example all season long and was named to the second team All-KJCCC list. Argenta was a rock behind the plate from his catcher position and played in 52 of the Grizzlies 53 games this season. Argenta hit .353 on the season with 45 RBI's, 60 runs scored, 12 doubles, one triple and seven homeruns. When a big hit was needed this season, Argenta always came through making something happen at the plate to help the team. Argenta led the KJCCC in put outs with 387 on the season. he had 31 assists and caught 15 runners stealing on the season and finished with a .982 fielding percentage.
BRADEN MEEK | SO. STARTING PITCHER | ENID, OK – CHISHOLM HIGH SCHOOL
Braden Meek, sophomore right-handed pitcher from Enid, OK was selected second team All-KJCCC after becoming the Grizzlies best and most consistent starter throughout the season. Meek finished the season with a record of seven wins and three losses. He appeared in 13 games, 12 starts and pitched 64.2 innings on the year. He finished with an ERA of 5.71. Meek pitched a no hitter this season against Labette and had two shutouts on the year. He walked just 16 batters on the year while striking out 58 total, an average of 8.07 strikeouts per game.
ZACH NAGEL | SO. RELIEF PITCHER | SIOUX FALLS, SD – O'BORMAN HIGH SCHOOL
Zach Nagel, sophomore left-handed pitcher from Sioux Falls, SD was named second team All-KJCCC relief pitcher after being labeled the Grizzlies 'closer' all season long. Nagel appeared in 21 games this season and finished with a record of three wins, no losses and seven saves. He pitched a total of 28.0 innings with an ERA of 3.86. Nagel recorded 38 strikeouts on the season, many coming in big, late game situations. Nagel gave up just 14 runs off 24 hits this season and walked just 12 batters. He had an opponent batting average against him of .273.