WINGATE – Seniors Kody O'Connor and Joey Rezek added their names to a long list of UNC Pembroke baseball greats on Thursday when the pair earned spots on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II All-America Squad.
 
Both members of the 3^rd Team, the announcement marks the 36^th and 37^th All-American honors over the last 17 seasons for the UNC Pembroke baseball program, with 17 different players being named to at least one organization's All-American team over that span. O'Connor and Rezek were joined by four other Conference Carolinas student-athletes in Thursday's announcement as well.
 
An everyday starter in right field for the Braves, O'Connor compiled a .362 (77-for-213) batting average in 56 starts this season to go along with 18 doubles, 19 homers, and a team-high 78 RBI. The Lebanon, Ohio native also drew 33 walks and was hit by a team-high 18 pitches, while logging a .478 on base percentage and a .714 slugging percentage. The 1^st-Team All-Conference and Conference Carolinas All-Tournament Team selection racked up a team-leading 25 multi-hit games this season, and also chipped in with eight stolen bases and three outfield assists.

Rezek settled into the DH role and had a breakout season, hitting .421 (83-for-197) in 51 starts, while also adding 19 doubles, 22 home runs, and 76 RBI. The senior from Colfax led Conference Carolinas and broke the UNCP single-season record for runs with 77. The Conference Carolinas Tournament MVP and 1^st-Team All-Conference selection logged 21 multi-hit games and a team-leading 24 multi-RBI games, while also going a perfect 14-14 in the stolen base department. Rezek also provided a .521 on base percentage and an .853 slugging percentage for a ridiculous 1.374 OPS. 

The duo combined to hit .348 with 67 doubles, 62 home runs, and 257 RBI in their two seasons in the Black & Gold.