The LBWCC Saints’ baseball season ended in the quarterfinals of the Alabama Community College Championship, but received postseason awards for the efforts they displayed throughout the year.

Following big seasons at the plate, freshmen Matthew Christian and Chauncey Callier were named to the 2017 All-Region 22 and All-South Division teams.

“They are both just freshman with extremely high character,” Saints’ head coach Steve Helms said. “They both also have outstanding working ethic. After next year, they will both have a chance to play Division I baseball.”

Christian was the biggest bat for the Saints in 2017.

He was 1-of-4 infielders in the conference to be named to the All-Region 22 roster.

In 173 at-bats, Christian belted 13 home runs and drove in 55 runs with a .358 batting average.

His home run total was second best in the league and he finished fourth in RBIs.

Callier was 1-of-3 outfielders selected for All-Region 22 team.

At the plate, Callier led the Saints with a .375 batting average and four triples.

His eight home runs and 47 RBIs were second best for the Saints.

During the season, Helms said both players played through injuries.

“These kids are both just grinders that work hard and do what they need to do for us to have a chance to win,” Helms said. “Matthew hit 13 home runs and he had playing with a broken hand since early March. Chauncey was hitting .450 then he tore his meniscus, but played through it. That shows their character to play through for their team and it just shows the type of players they are to still put up the numbers that they did.”

With both players returning for their sophomore year, Helms said they hope to make another run next season.

“These are guys that we will definitely try to build around,” Helms said. “We have some good freshmen coming back and we are looking to finish up this recruiting class. Hopefully, next season we won’t have to deal with as many injuries and make a run, but that’s just baseball.”

Both players were also selected to the All-ACCC South Division team.

Callier and Christian helped lead the Saints to a 36-18 overall record and a 19-13 conference record.

The Saints had a strong season before a rash of injuries to several starting pitchers.

“We had a very good offensive team this year,” Helms said. “At one time though, we had seven pitchers out with injuries, but that is all part of the game.”