BASE: Three Named Academic All-District

Three Bethany College baseball players earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, the organization announced today (Tuesday, June 3, 2025). 

"We're very proud of these guys for all the hard work they've put in on the field and in the classroom," said Bethany College Head Coach Michael Finlan. "This is a true testament to their character, perseverance, and excellence as student athletes." 

Seniors Derek Black and Mike Hines are joined by junior Jaden Nestor-Fox as first-time honorees.  

JUCO Transfer Jaden-Nestor Fox, a mathmatics major, earned the honor for the first time in his NCAA career. He was a First Team All-Conference player for the Presidents Athletic Conference, slashing .389/.500/.550 on the season.

Nestor-Fox was the key to the Bethany offense. He reached base in 31 of his 36 games played, a mark that rivals the best in all of Division III. His 60 runs produced was 29% of Bethany's total runs scored, the best of any Bethany College ball player in the 21st century. Nestor-Fox was top five in the conference in batting average, on base percentage, and OPS to end the year. He led the Bison in all three of those categories plus hits (51), walks (24), and runs scored (37).

Hines was a double major in biology and biochemistry. He spent most of his time in right field for the Bison, but also pitched 10 innings in five appearances. He hit .238, but given his average bolstered an impressive .377 OBP. Hines was a ball magnet, getting hit by a pitch a team leading seven times. The outfielder also picked up his first home run of his career, erasing that zero from his stat sheet. 

Black, a double major in biology and biochemistry, appeared in all but one game for the Bison this season. Black was a consistent bat in the lineup, hitting .273 with a .369 OBP. He was second on the team in walks with 17 for the year.