The USA South has been one of the better conferences in D3 Baseball for years now, and even added a member with the addition of Brevard and Pfeiffer in the 2018 season.
But this time, we aren't talking about the overall team success, but instead focusing on the arms who dazzle spectators each time they take to the mound. We are on a quest to find out who is the best pitcher in the USA South.
We need your help though to vote on one of our five nominees. Voting will take place in the poll placed below the list of nominations and will close on Friday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m. PST.
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Carden Mellown, Huntingdon
Key Stats: 7 GS / 41.2 IP / 4-1 / 1.94 ERA / 44 K
Mellown has been one of the more consistent arms in the league thus far, riding his way to favorable numbers in major categories. He is in the top four of strikeouts, ERA, and wins thus far and should continue to stay in that realm if he remains consistent.
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Will Walker, Methodist
Key Stats: 10 APP / 1-0 / 6 SV / 15 K
Walker — also a first baseman for Methodist — has been one of the best closers not only in the league, but all of D3 with a top-five standing in the category. The freshman has a dazzling 15:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio thus far, and in 13.2 innings has allowed just four earned runs.
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Zach English, LaGrange
Key Stats: 14 APP / 3-0 / 2 SV / 1.95 ERA
A senior, English has transitioned into a full-time reliever after spending his first three collegiate seasons making 16 starts in 23 total games. The move has not limited his inning total though, with his mark of 27.2 already the second best of his career, and he is also on pace for a career-high in strikeouts.
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Nate Gardner, NC Wesleyan
Key Stats: 6 GS / 3-1 / 44.2 IP / 40 K / 2.62 ERA
Gardner has been the Battling Wesleyan's best starter to date, giving the most consistent effort over his first six starts. Taking over the role of staff ace, Gardner has set a career high in punchouts already, and has tied his mark for wins in one season with plenty of time left in the year.
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Drake Black, Brevard
Key Stats: 7 GS / 2-7 / 55 IP / 5.24 ERA / 62 K
Black may not have the best numbers in terms of wins or limiting runs, but he has been absolutely superb in getting hitters to whiff on his stuff with a national-best 62 strikeouts thus far. His best effort came in his last appearance, with 17 punchouts against Berea on the road.
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VOTE: Best Pitcher in The USA South
