COLUMBIA, S.C. – Benedict College's Bradon O'Connor has been selected the Player of the Year by Black College Nines, while freshman outfielder Jamell Mitchell Jr. was also selected to their Elite second team.
 
O'Connor, a graduate student, was named the 2022 SIAC Utility Player of the Year, as well as First Team All-SIAC as a Utility Player. This year, he broke the NCAA Division II single-season record with 97 total stolen bases. He ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in total stolen bases and stolen bases per game. He also ranks third in Division II in batting average, fifth in on-base percentage, and 24^th in toughest to strike out.
 
Mitchell, a freshman outfielder, hit .290 and ranked second in the NCAA, behind O'Connor, with 60 stolen bases. As Benedict's lead-off batter, he had a .399 on-base percentage and scored 51 runs.
Twenty-Nine HBCU baseball players were named to the Black College Nines' Elite teams for the 2022 season. Additional recognition is given to our Player, Pitcher, Freshman and Coach of the Year, as well as to Sports Information Directors. This marks the first time the national postseason awards was split from the large school based on the growth of the Black College World Series. First and second team selections were made in the Small School Division (made up of NCAA Division II as well as schools in both the NAIA and NCCAA).

Selections were made based upon statistical information, mid-season reports including research provided by Black College Nines and both coaching staffs and their sports information directors. Player, pitcher and coach of the year awards were voted upon by Black College Nines and members of the national media.

Black College Nines is a website that covers current and historical HBCU baseball news and is dedicated to preserving the legacy of black college and university baseball. For more information, visit the Black College Nines website here.

Player of the Year – Bradon O'Connor (Benedict College)
Pitcher of the Year – Jose Santiago (Savannah State University)
Freshman of the Year – Miguel Oropeza (Talladega College)
Coach of the Year – Carlton Hardy (Savannah State University)
Small School Division (NCAA Division II/NAIA) 
*Participating in Black College World Series
First Team
1B Ty Sizemore  (Bluefield State College)*
INF Champion Robbins (Savannah State University)
INF Nicholas Hernandez (Albany State University)*
INF Lavoisier Fisher (Albany State University)*
UTL Lachian Ross (Albany State University)*
OF Bradon O'Connor (Benedict College)
OF Michael Archie (Miles College)*
OF Dom Lawson (Kentucky State University)*
C Miguel Oropeza (Talladega College)*
DH Axel Gomez  (Florida Memorial University)*
P Jose Santiago  (Savannah State University)*
P Kody Long  (Miles College)*
P Jordan Livington (West Virginia State University)
RP Isaias Espiritusanto (Florida Memorial University)*
Second Team
1B Jacob Bisharat (Miles College)*
INF Jalen Thomas (Rust College)*
INF James Bitner (Miles College)*
INF Payton Shubert (Edward Waters University)*
UTL Adren Thompson (Kentucky State University)*
OF Jamell Mitchell Jr. (Benedict College)
OF Trey Junkins (West Virginia State University)
OF Joseph Smith (Savannah State University)
C Dawsyn Hock (Virginia State University)
DH Cole Cote (Bluefield State)
P Jeremiah Reddell (Albany State University)*
P Enrico Peele (Savannah State University)
P Quincy McGraw (Rust College)*
RP Brytan Sampson (Rust College)*