Parker Bates named C-USA Preseason Player of the Year by Collegiate Baseball

TUCSON, Ariz. – After being named a third-team Preseason All-American in December, Collegiate Baseball once again honored LA Tech outfielder Parker Bates by naming him Conference USA’s Preseason Player of the Year.

Bates adds yet another accolade to his stellar career as a Diamond Dog after posting a .422/.531/.891 (AVG/OBP/SLG) triple-slash line during the shortened 2020 season. Bates led Conference USA in hits (27), RBI (28), home runs (eight) and slugging percentage (.891) this past season. He also paced the Bulldogs in batting average (.422), OBP (.531), OPS (1.422) and total bases (57).

Bates led the Bulldogs to an 11-6 record in the 2020 COVID-19-shortened season. He recorded a hit in 15 of 17 games, registering two or more hits in seven contests. The Tyler, Texas native earned LWSA Player of the Month honors after batting .378 with 15 RBI and four home runs in February.

The senior is a two-time Second-Team All-Conference USA choice, earning the honors in 2018 and 2019. Bates decided to return in 2021 for his extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA, joining his five fellow seniors for another season in Ruston.

Collegiate Baseball named Southern Miss right-handed pitcher Walker Powell the conference’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Like Bates, Collegiate Baseball also named Powell a Preseason All-American in December.

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