Glendale, Ariz. - Arizona Christian University Baseball generated seven NAIA Scholar-Athletes per a release from Kansas City, Missouri published this morning. Troy Collins, Evan Hieb, Dylan Petersen, Mackenzie Salmon, Trey Tarver, Deshon Thomas and Jordan Vickers were all recognized for their exceptional work in the classroom on the eve of the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series.

To be eligible, NAIA athletes must have earned a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average, appear on the eligibility certificate for their respective sport and have attended one full academic year at their institution.

Troy Collins (Business Major)

The senior from Palm Desert, California received his third NAIA Scholar-Athlete label. Collins, a recent Arizona Christian graduate, is pursuing a business career.

Entering the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series, Collins is batting at a .303 clip (five doubles, eight home runs, 30 RBI) and fielding with .990 efficiency (186 putouts and seven assists). His most recent long ball was undoubtedly the most memorable, it being a two-run bomb in the Firestorm's 11-0 rout of Lewis-Clark State in the NAIA Opening Round.

Evan Hieb (Business Major)

The senior from Anthem, Arizona collected his third NAIA Scholar-Athlete award. Hieb, a recent Arizona Christian graduate, will be pursuing a career in business.

Entering the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series, Hieb is pitching to the tune of a 4.84 ERA (1.30 WHIP) in which he has thrown 28 strikeouts and earned a 1-1 record in 22 appearances on the mound. Hieb made his fourth career start on Senior Night against Park Gilbert, a game ACU would win 10-9 in comeback fashion.

Dylan Petersen (Business Administration Major)

The junior from Kingman, Arizona inked his first NAIA Scholar-Athlete honor. After his time in college, Petersen plans to get his EMT and become a firefighter.

Entering the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series, Petersen is batting at a .375 clip (two doubles, one home run) and fielding with .976 efficiency (38 putouts and two assists) through 16 games. Petersen's lone home run came in the series finale against The Master's, a pinch hitting chance in which he cranked one over the left-field fence and contributed to a 17-2 dominant victory. 

Mackenzie Salmon (Business Major)

The senior from Melbourne, Australia earned his second NAIA Scholar-Athlete distinction. Salmon, a recent Arizona Christian graduate, is pursuing a career as a financial advisor. 

Entering the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series, Salmon is pitching to the tune of a 21.21 ERA (3.00 WHIP) in which he has thrown three strikeouts in six appearances. Salmon took full advantage of his only batting opportunity in two years with the Firestorm, recording a pinch-hit single in a 17-2 victory over The Master's.

Trey Tarver (Biology Major)

The junior from Surprise, Arizona garnered his second NAIA Scholar-Athlete honor. After his time in college, Tarver plans to be a physical therapist.

Entering the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series, Tarver is batting at a .343 clip (14 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, 44 RBI) and fielding with .963 efficiency (200 putouts and 10 assists). Tarver posted a career-high four hits (4-for-5) in ACU's 8-7 win over British Columbia that secured the program's first World Series berth. 

Deshon Thomas (Business Major)

The senior from Manteca, California reeled in his third NAIA Scholar-Athlete award. Thomas, a recent Arizona Christian graduate, will be pursuing a business career.

Entering the 2024 Avista NAIA World Series, Thomas is batting at a .313 clip (seven doubles, one triple, four home runs, 21 RBI) and fielding with .959 efficiency (43 putouts and four assists). Thomas notably went 5-for-10 (six runs, three RBI) in the 2024 GSAC Baseball Tournament, highlighted by a two-home run game against Vanguard. 

Jordan Vickers (Business Major)

The junior from Farmington, New Mexico achieved his first NAIA Scholar-Athlete status. After his time in college, Vickers plans to pursue a business career.

In 2024, Vickers pitched to a tune of a 3.38 ERA (2.63 WHIP) in which he threw seven strikeouts in seven appearances. He had the honor of forcing the final two outs in the game in which senior Eli Elliott broke the program's career strikeout record (reached the 251 mark on March 23rd against Menlo). 


Roll Storm!