It was a very bad season for Arizona, arguably the worst in more than 30 years, but it wasn’t without its individual standouts. Just not as many as a team that had a good year would receive.
Wildcats Garrett Hicks, Tony Lira and Nate Novitske were recognized by the Big 12 on Tuesday on its annual postseason all-conference team. Lira and Hicks were honorable mention selections, with Lira and Novitske making the All-Freshman Team.
Hicks, a senior right-handed pitcher, tied for 4th in the Big 12 with
six saves, taking over the closer role after Tony Pluta missed the season due to elbow surgery. Hicks went 3-2 with a 3.94 ERA in 21 appearances spanning 28.2 innings pitched.
Lira, a redshirt freshman first baseman, hit .343 with five home runs, 19 doubles and 25 RBI, finishing with a .929 OPS. His 74 hits were 4th-most among UA freshmen since the team moved to Hi Corbett Field in 2012. He was a unanimous All-Freshman selection.
Novitske, a redshirt freshman infielder, hit .303 with five homers and 27 RBI. He had 30 walks against 29 strikeouts.
ASU’s Landon Hairston was named Big 12 Player of the Year, with Pitcher of the Year going to West Virginia’s Maxx Yehl. Baylor’s Tyce Armstrong won Newcomer of the Year, Cincinnati’s Enzo Infelise was Freshman of the Year and Kansas’ Dan Fitzgerald Coach of the Year.
