Ben Fisher was named the Ohio Valley Conference Co-Player of the Year, as well as being named to the All-OVC first team while Alex Holderbach was selected to the All-OVC second team, and Nick Howie was chosen as part of the OVC All-Rookie team on Tuesday.
This is the second straight year a Colonel has won the OVC Co-Player of the Year, as Mandy Alvarez won the award last year. This is the first time Eastern players have won consecutive OVC Player of the Year awards since 2003 and 2005 when Josh Anderson and Stephen Carter earned the honors.
Fisher wrapped up the season leading the nation in home runs (25), runs (71), while placing third in both slugging percentage (.762) and total bases (170), fourth in RBIs (72), and tied for 27th in hits (81).
The Richmond native was named to the Golden Spikes Award Watch List in April. He was also named to the Midseason Perfect Game/Rawlings All-American First Team in April, as well as earning Academic All-District honors earlier this month, and winning two Madness National Player of the Week Awards in consecutive weeks in March.
Holderbach was named the All-OVC second team utility player. The sophomore experienced an offensive explosion this season, hitting 11 home runs with 66 hits, 49 RBIs and 39 runs. He started 47 games spread out over multiple outfield and infield positions, as well as starting six times as a catcher and 10 times in the designated hitter spot.
Howie becomes the first Colonel since 2014 to be named to the OVC All-Rookie team. The Oakville, Ontario native finished his rookie campaign with eight home runs, 61 hits, 46 runs, and 41 RBIs. He also started every game for EKU this season, with 44 starts in right field, and 12 starts in center field.
“It’s a great day for our program,” said EKU Head Coach Edwin Thompson. “A huge and deserving honor to Ben for winning Co-Player of the Year after his amazing season. It’s fantastic seeing Alex recognized for playing such a big role for us, playing multiple positions well and proving to be a vital part of our team. Nick started every game for us and showed incredible amounts of promise for future.”