Corey Wood named GAC Player of the Year

2015-16 GAC MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – COREY WOOD, ARKANSAS-MONTICELLO, BASEBALL

Wood, a unanimous selection as Male Athlete of the Year, led the Boll Weevils to a GAC Championship and helped UAM advance to the final of the NCAA Central Regional. He set UAM and GAC single-season records for runs scored (67), home runs (26), RBI (90), total bases (183) and slugging percentage (.847).

In May, Wood performed at his best as he hit .435 with nine home runs and 35 RBI in 14 games – three against rival Southern Arkansas, five GAC Championships games and six NCAA Central Regional games. He drove in seven runs in a game three times during the month. He earned Tournament MVP honors at both the GAC Championships – where he hit four home runs and drove in 19 - and the MVP award for the Central Regional by posting a .500 average (15-for-30) with four home runs, 11 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

Sparked by his stellar performance to close the season, he earned the Josh Willingham Award – bestowed to the Most Valuable Player in Division II. He garnered All-America honors from the NCBWA, ABCA and D2CCA. He finished his senior season ranked in the top 10 in the nation in home runs, RBI, total bases and slugging percentage.

Wood became the second UAM athlete, and the first baseball player, to earn a GAC year-end superlative award, joining former softball All-American Beth Jackson, who earned Female Athlete of the Year following the inaugural year of the GAC.

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