News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M baseball team has announced it annual list of team awards following the conclusion of its historic 2024 season, as voted on by the student-athletes.
MARION PUGH MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD – Jackson Appel
Appel, an NCBWA First Team All-American, was magnificent behind the dish in his first season in Aggieland, helping guide the Texas A&M pitching staff to a 3.86 ERA, which ranked fourth nationally. At the plate, the switch-hitter slashed .331/.422/.534 and drew 34 walks to 33 strikeouts.
In 65 games, 59 of which were starts, the senior also recorded a triple, 10 home runs, 16 doubles and 41 RBI. Behind the plate, Appel threw out 11 potential base stealers. In a midweek win over UTSA, Appel became the 11th player in program history to record three homers in a game.
C.E. “PAT” OLSEN OUTSTANDING PITCHER AWARD – Evan Aschenbeck
A unanimous All-American, Aschenbeck was brilliant in 32 relief appearances for the Aggies. The lefty logged a 6-1 record and totaled 10 saves, which is tied for the sixth-most in program history. The 2024 NCBWA Stopper of the Year, Aschenbeck totaled a 1.78 ERA a 0.89 WHIP and 87 strikeouts to only 12 walks in 75.2 innings of work.
The Texas A&M closer also held opponents to a .198 batting average. Of his 32 appearances, 28 were for multiple innings and 21 were scoreless outings.
WALLY MOON AWARD – Josh Stewart
The Wally Moon Award, which is given annually to the player who shows the most improvement from the fall to the end of the season, was awarded to right-hander Josh Stewart.
Stewart registered a 2-2 record and a 4.26 ERA in 25 relief appearances for the Maroon & White. The righty delivered his best performances of the season when it mattered most, recording a 3.00 ERA in four appearances at the College World Series. Stewart punched out 12 batters in nine innings of work.
On the season, Stewart logged 39 punchouts in 31.2 innings.
MARION PUGH SPIRIT AWARD – Hayden Schott
The Marion Pugh Spirit Award is given to the player who is most instrumental to team unity and who provides valuable leadership both on and off the field.
Schott was a true embodiment of this award during the 2024 season both on and off the field. In 68 games, the graduate student led the Aggies with a .335 average and 88 hits. Schott also totaled two triples, eight homers, 15 doubles and drove in 63 runs. Off the field, Schott played a valuable role in the clubhouse and as a leader of the team.
LORAINE B. AND WILLIAM B. “BREEZY” BREAZEALE RBI AWARD – Braden Montgomery
Montgomery started 61 games for the Maroon & White and logged a .322/.454/.733 slash line. The switch-hitter belted 27 homers and drove in an SEC-best 85 RBI to go along with a double and a triple. The junior also recorded 25 multi-hit and 25 multi-RBI performances.