Crossroads League Announces Baseball All-Conference Honors
JACKSON, Mich. — On Tuesday, May 7, the Crossroads League revealed its Baseball All-Conference honorees.
Overall, five players from the Mount Vernon Nazarene University baseball team were acknowledged by the league for their play during the 2024 season.
First Team All-Conference
Casey Kalman, the senior catcher, received first-team all-conference recognition for his strong performance. Kalman tallied 57 hits over the season, including 11 doubles and 5 home runs, amplifying his team's offensive impact. Sporting a .308 batting average, Kalman consistently delivered clutch hits, driving in 38 runs this season.
Rider Minnick, a rising sophomore at second base, earned first-team all-conference honors after an exceptional season. Minnick hit .352 at the plate while amassing 64 hits, 7 doubles, 1 triple, and 5 home runs. Minnick also contributed with 41 runs batted in and crossed home plate 36 times, showcasing his all-around offensive skillset.
Johnny Nixon, a sophomore first baseman and right-handed pitcher, earned first-team all-conference recognition as a utility player. Nixon boasted an impressive .348 batting average, scoring 31 runs and tallying 62 hits, which included 7 doubles, 2 triples, and 6 home runs. Nixon also contributed with 47 RBIs. As a pitcher, Nixon started five games, pitching 24 innings total.
Newcomer of the Year & Second Team All-Conference
Brady Lester earned second-team all-conference accolades after a strong freshman season. Lester also was named as the Co-Newcomer of the Year in the Crossroads League. Lester ended the season with 61 hits, including a team-best 12 home runs, and a batting average of .345. His on-base percentage of .429 and slugging percentage of .684 showed the freshman's ability to get on base while also hitting for power. Along with batting in 48 runs, Lester scored 40 runs by himself.
Senior right-handed pitcher Cruz McFadden earned second-team all-conference accolades. McFadden delivered 33 innings and boasted a ratio of 10.9 strikeouts per nine innings. McFadden had 40 strikeouts total on the year. Notably, he shattered the NAIA saves record this season, finishing with 46 in his career. In 2024, McFadden had 7 saves, which was second in the Crossroads League.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education both in-seat and online to nearly 2,000 students from 25 states and 11 foreign countries.