CONWAY – Coastal Carolina centerfielder Parker Chavers was named Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, the publication announced today. Chavers becomes the Chanticleers’ 12th Freshman All-American and 11th since 2007.
Chavers (Montgomery, Ala. / Loveless Academic Magnet Program) adds to his impressive rookie resume as he was voted second team All-Sun Belt as well as being voted to the Sun Belt and NCAA Conway Regional All-Tournament teams.
Chavers posted a team-best .323 batting average in 2018 while ranking second on the team in hits (70), second in on base percentage (.435), third in doubles (15), fourth in home runs (7), fourth in runs scored (48) and four in walks (39). His batting average ranked seventh-best in the Sun Belt while his hits ranked eighth, his on base percentage ranked ninth and his walks ranked ninth. In addition to his offensive excellence, Chavers made just one error (his final chance at the Sun Belt Championship) and made numerous highlight-reel catches in centerfield, including one that was featured on ESPN’s Top Plays.
He additionally led the team in batting in Sun Belt games (.321) while posting an impressive .442 on base percentage versus league opponents.
Chavers was named Sun Belt All-Tournament as he was 2-for-4 with two RBI in the championship game and posted an impressive .563 batting average in the tourney with seven RBI, thanks to a grand slam. He had a season-high four hits in first win over South Alabama while tying season high with four RBI in the win. The following week, he was voted to the NCAA Conway Regional All-Tournament team as had at least one hit and one RBI in each if his three games. Overall, he batted .454 (5-for-11) with three RBI, two runs scored, a double, two walks and added a highlight-reel catch.
Chavers had two reached base streaks (by hit/walk/hit by pitch) of 15 games this season, including each of his last 15 games played and 30 of his last 31. In fact, Chavers had a hit in 20-of-his-last-23 games and batted .351 (26-for-74) over the span with 12 runs, 19 RBI, five doubles, three home runs and 10 walks.