June 16, 2021

PETERS GARNERS ALL-REGION HONORS

By John T. Lock

Illinois State Athletics

Tristan Peters, J.T. Weber, and Brad Harrison were all named to the 2021 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. I All-Midwest Region team, the ABCA. Peters and Weber were two of the four outfielders on the 15-man First Team, and Brad Harrison was a pitcher on the 14-man Second Team. SIU’s three selections were the most by any program in the Midwest region, and most by any program in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The eight All-Region teams are voted on by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association and the process is led by the ABCA NCAA Div. I All-America Committee, which is chaired by Tommy Raffo of Arkansas State University.

Peters (Winkler, Man.) was one of the best all-around players in the MVC in 2021. He led the league in on-base percentage, walks and doubles, ranked third in hits, third in RBIs, fourth in stolen bases, fifth in batting average, sixth in runs scored, sixth in total bases, and 12th in slugging. A gold glove center fielder in junior college, Peters played every inning of every game in centre field for the Salukis and finished the year with a perfect fielding percentage and two outfield assists.

Weber was a second-team All-MVC honoree in 2021 and was also named to the MVC All-Tournament Team. He was MVC and National Player of the Week on March 15. He led the MVC in RBIs and ranked second in hits and total bases. He also ranked third in the league in runs scored, fourth in slugging, fourth in doubles, and fourth in homers. In MVC only games, he led the MVC in RBIs and ranked third in runs, third in total bases, third in doubles, fourth in hits, fifth in homers, and ninth in slugging.

Harrison was a first-team All-MVC starting pitcher in 2021 after going 9-0 with a 3.54 ERA over 15 starts. He pitched two complete games and had 98 strikeouts on the season. He pitched a complete game shutout with 10 strikeouts and no walks against Missouri State. Harrison ranked second in the league in strikeouts, third in wins, and seventh in ERA. In MVC games, Harrison led the league in strikeouts and ranked second in innings and seventh in ERA.

As a team, SIU finished the season 40-20, the program’s winningest season in 31 years. SIU led the league in batting average, hits, doubles, triples, total bases, sac flies, fielding double plays, and saves; and the Salukis ranked second in the league in ERA, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs scored, RBIs, home runs, walks, stolen bases, and batters struck out.

ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team selections are nominated for ABCA/Rawlings All-America honors. The ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. I All-American teams will be announced on Saturday, June 19.