CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – First baseman
Nazier McIlwain was named to the Perfect Game MEAC Preseason All-Conference Team it was announced by the website on Monday morning. Additionally, the Coppin State baseball team was picked to finish third in the Northern Division behind Delaware State and Norfolk State and ahead of Maryland Eastern Shore.
A junior from Passaic, N.J., McIlwain provides a smooth left-handed stroke at the plate and led the MEAC with a .377 batting average in 2017. His .377 clip ranked 25
th in NCAA Division I and his .462 on-base percentage also ranked among the nation's best. McIlwain also displayed some solid pop from the plate with a team-high three home runs, 33 RBIs, 11 doubles and .510 slugging percentage along with 25 walks and 33 runs scored.
McIlwain was even better at the plate during MEAC play, tallying a .427 average with eight doubles, two homers and 22 RBIs.
For the season, McIlwain recorded 17 multi-hit games including six games with at least three base hits. At one point during the season, McIlwain had 17-game hitting streak and a 25-game streak where he reached base safely. During his hit streak which last from March 8 to April 9, McIlwain hit .433 with three home runs and 21 RBI before coming to an end at UMBC on April 12 despite walking twice.
Following the game at UMBC, McIlwain recorded base knocks in five-straight games, hitting .632, including a 4-for-4 nightcap against Delaware State where he also drew a free pass.
For Perfect Game's full conference preview,
click here.
The 2018 season is scheduled to start on Feb. 24-25 as the Eagles host a three-game series against Wagner. Saturday's doubleheader is slated for 11 am while Sunday's single game is scheduled for 1 pm at Joe Cannon Stadium in Hanover, Md.
