Benedict Tigers, O’Connor named 2022 NCAA Division II statistical stolen base champs

COLUMBIA, S.C. (courtesy benedicttigers.com) — The Benedict College baseball team has been named the 2022 NCAA Division II statistical champion for stolen bases per game, while Benedict utility player Bradon O’Connor was recognized as the 2022 DII individual statistical champion for stolen bases per game.

Benedict averaged 5.79 stolen bases per game, easily outdistancing runner-up West Chester, which averaged 3.06 stolen bases per game. Benedict stole 272 total bases in 47 games. Benedict had the top two single-game performances with 18 stolen bases against Lane College and 17 against Morris College.

O’Connor averaged 2.26 stolen bases per game, nearly one stolen base per game more than his closest competitor in the national rankings – teammate Jamell Mitchell Jr., who averaged 1.28 stolen bases per game. O’Connor, who was named the Black College Nines Player of the Year and was named to multiple All-Region teams, stole an NCAA single-season record 97 bases out of 101 attempts.

Leading the nation in stolen bases is not new for the Tigers. Under head coach Selwyn Young, Benedict has been the stolen bases leader for nine of the past 11 years the NCAA has recognized Division II statistical champions. The Tigers were the NCAA’s stolen base champions for six consecutive years from 2010 through 2015, then again in 2018 and 2019. O’Connor was also the individual stolen base champion in 2019. There were no statistical champions named in 2020 or 2021.

O’Connor also ranked second in NCAA Division II in batting average, hitting .454. He has signed a professional contract with the Rocky Mountain Vibes of the Pioneer League, an independent baseball league in partnership with Major League Baseball.