Thursday, February 2, 2017

AUSTIN, Texas – Montana State Billings designated hitter and relief pitcher Adam Cox and Western Oregon pitcher Brady Miller have been named as third team preseason All-Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

The two are among nine West Region players to be named to the preseason team, which was selected by national media and sports information directors who cover Division II baseball. Both Cox and Miller were named earlier to the NCBWA’s Preseason All-West Region Team.

Cox was selected to the team as a designated hitter, but the junior out of Encino, Calif., also figures to be a key part of the Yellowjackets’ pitching staff in 2017. The 2016 Second Team All-GNAC selection had a .371 batting average in 2016 with nine home runs and a team-high 47 RBIs. On the mound, he put together and impressive 6-1 record in 17 relief appearances, striking out 37 in 27.1 innings.

Miller is the defending GNAC Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference with 10 wins in Western Oregon’s run to the GNAC Championships tournament. Miller, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher going into his junior season, recorded a 3.14 ERA and struck out 89 batters in 80.1 innings in 2016. Miller picked up his 10th win in the elimination bracket final of the GNAC Championships, throwing six one-run innings with seven strikeouts for an 18-1 victory over MSUB.

Western Oregon opens the season tied for 10th with Northwest Nazarene in the NCBWA’s Division II Preseason West Region rankings. Montana State Billings was among teams receiving votes.

Both teams were slated to open the season this weekend, but had games postponed and cancelled due to inclement weather. Western Oregon will commence play on Thurs., Feb. 9, traveling to Fresno Pacific for a four-game series. Montana State Billings opens the season on Fri., Feb. 10 with a three-game series at Colorado Mines.