---
"title": "2025 All-SWAC baseball team released, Thibodeaux and Elliott headline honors"
"description": "BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2025 All-SWAC Baseball Teams and individual postseason award winners Tuesday evening, as voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. Southern’s Cardell Thibodeaux headlined the list, earning both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. Jackson State’s Eric Elliott was […]"
"date": "2025-05-21"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "HBCU Sports"
"url": "https://hbcusports.com/2025/05/21/2025-all-swac-baseball-team-released-thibodeaux-and-elliott-headline-honors/"
"categories":
  - "Baseball"
"tags":
  - "Jackson State"
  - "Southern"
  - "SWAC"
---

# 2025 All-SWAC baseball team released, Thibodeaux and Elliott headline honors

**BIRMINGHAM, Ala.** — The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2025 [All-SWAC Baseball](https://hbcusports.com/?s=swac+baseball) Teams and individual postseason award winners Tuesday evening, as voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Southern’s Cardell Thibodeaux headlined the list, earning both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors. Jackson State’s Eric Elliott was named Pitcher of the Year. Alabama State’s Juan Cruz and Bethune-Cookman’s Andrey Martinez were named Co-Hitters of the Year.

Bethune-Cookman earned additional honors, with Jean Carlos Zambrano selected as Relief Pitcher of the Year and Garrett Workman of Florida A&M earning Freshman of the Year. Jonathan Hernandez, who led Bethune-Cookman to a 24–9 conference record and the program’s first SWAC regular season baseball title, was named Coach of the Year.

Thibodeaux was a standout for Southern, appearing in 46 games and recording 77 hits and 18 home runs—leading the Jaguars in both categories. His .438 batting average ranks third in the nation.

Elliott anchored the pitching staff for Jackson State, earning six wins with a 2.54 ERA in conference play. He leads the SWAC in strikeouts per inning and ranks second overall in total strikeouts.

Cruz powered Alabama State’s offense, topping the team with 99 hits, 66 RBIs, and a .416 batting average. He also leads the nation in total hits and ranks third nationally in hits per game.

Martinez led the SWAC in home runs (19) and ranked 19th nationally in that category. He compiled a .352 average, 63 hits, and 59 RBIs during the regular season.

Zambrano was a reliable arm out of the bullpen for Bethune-Cookman, posting a 3.38 ERA in 18 appearances. He notched six wins and two saves, helping the Wildcats lead the league in team ERA.

Workman made an immediate impact as a freshman for Florida A&M, earning eight wins in 14 appearances and posting a 2.92 ERA in conference action.

A complete list of the [2025 All-SWAC baseball teams](https://swac.org/news/2025/5/19/swac-announces-2025-baseball-postseason-awards.aspx) and individual award winners is below.

### **2025 SWAC Baseball Postseason Awards**

**Coach of the Year**\
Jonathan Hernandez, Bethune-Cookman

**Player of the Year**\
Cardell Thibodeaux, Southern

**Co-Hitter of the Year**\
Juan Cruz, Alabama State\
Andrey Martinez, Bethune-Cookman

**Pitcher of the Year**\
Eric Elliott, Jackson State

**Relief Pitcher of the Year**\
Jean Carlos Zambrano, Bethune-Cookman

**Freshman of the Year**\
Garrett Workman, Florida A&M

**Newcomer of the Year**\
Cardell Thibodeaux, Southern

### **All-SWAC First Team**

**C** – Broedy Poppell, Florida A&M\
**1B** – Juan Cruz, Alabama State\
**2B** – Jesus Vanegas, Bethune-Cookman\
**3B** – Jay Campbell, Florida A&M\
**SS** – Bryce Hughes, Texas Southern\
**DH** – Taj Bates, Southern\
**OF** – Cardell Thibodeaux, Southern\
**OF** – Andrey Martinez, Bethune-Cookman\
**OF** – Kameron Douglas, Alabama State\
**SP** – Eric Elliott, Jackson State\
**SP** – Kenney Fabian, Arkansas-Pine Bluff\
**RP** – Jean Carlos Zambrano, Bethune-Cookman

### **All-SWAC Second Team**

**C** – Chris Marcellus, Grambling State\
**1B** – Wilbert Perez, Jackson State\
**2B** – Alex Espaillat, Alabama State\
**3B** – KJ White, Southern\
**SS** – Jeter Polledo, Bethune-Cookman\
**DH** – Damian Garcia, Texas Southern\
**OF** – Trey Rutledge, Alabama A&M\
**OF** – Darryl Lee, Bethune-Cookman\
**OF** – Jordan McCladdie, Jackson State\
**SP** – Jorhan Laboy, Alabama State\
**SP** – Edwin Sanchez, Bethune-Cookman\
**SP** – Nick Luckett, Southern\
**RP** – Ethan Bates, Grambling State\
**RP** – Peyton Huff, Southern