BEAUMONT, Texas – Following a season that saw Lamar University win the 2024 Southland Conference regular-season title, Cardinals' senior pitcher Brooks Caple has been named SLC Student-Athlete of the Year and highlights a list of six Cardinals who have been named to the 2024 Academic All-Southland Conference teams.
 
Joining Caple on the first team are fellow seniors Kanin Dodge (shortstop), Jack Schell (outfielder), Hunter Hesseltine (pitcher) and River Orsak (outfield/DH) while senior Jacob Ellis (pitcher) was named to the Southland's second team.
 
The honors come as no shock for a team that helped LU post 3.16 department wide grade-point average, including 3.20 GPA from baseball alone.
 
Five of the Cardinals' six selections were also named to either the 2024 all-conference team or the 2024 SLC All-Defensive team, led by Caple who was also named SLC Pitcher of the Year following a season that saw him lead the league in ERA (2.40) and innings pitched (97.2) while finishing second in the conference in wins (7), opponent's batting average (.170) and total strikeouts (102).
 
All three of Lamar's weekend rotation starters were named to the team. The trio of Caple, Ellis and Hesseltine – all named SLC Pitchers of the Week at some point during the regular season – played key roles in Lamar taking the nation's top ERA and WHIP into the postseason.
 
To be eligible for the Academic All-Southland team, student-athletes must carry a minimum 3.25 grade-point average, have completed one full academic year at the school prior to nomination and be at least a sophomore academically. To be nominated for student-athlete of the year, a player must carry a 3.5 GPA and have demonstrated success on the field for two seasons including the more recent year.