Bridgeport, W. Va. - On Thursday, the Mountain East Conference (MEC) announced the 22 finalists for the Male and Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Award. The award is given out annually to one MEC athlete who exemplifies excellence both on the field and in the classroom, holding the same criteria as Academic All-American Awards. Wheeling University Baseball player Hayden Scudder has been announced as Wheeling's finalist for the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Award after having a breakout season on the field and continuing his strong work in the classroom.
Prior to the 2022 season, Scudder was used primarily as a reliever for the Cardinals and assumed that role once again to start the year. However, he quickly emerged as one of Wheeling's top starting pitchers and led the pitching staff through the MEC playoff race. He ended the year going 5-1 with a 3.40 ERA while throwing 47.1 innings of work across 14 appearances, seven starts. Scudder did not allow an earned run in MEC play over his first three starts and allowed one earned run over his first four starts of the season. His 3.40 ERA led the Cardinals this season as did his 1.20 WHIP, while he tied for the team lead throwing two complete games.
In the classroom, Scudder has been a star student throughout his career, and ended the year with a 4.0 GPA. The business major has been with the Wheeling baseball team for two seasons and has been heavily involved in the development of the program. He also helps around campus and is a dedicated student-athlete in the classroom. About being nominated, Scudder says that he is thankful for the honor and praises the staff at Wheeling for setting him up for success.
"It is an honor to be selected as a finalist for the Male Scholar Athlete of the Year," said Scudder. "The staff at Wheeling University was a great asset in guiding me to reach my potential. I would like to thank Wheeling University and the MEC for this acknowledgement of my work these past few years."
The other Male Scholar Athlete of the Year finalists are listed below:
Joey Alcorn - Alderson Broaddus, Baseball
Mitch Hoffman - Charleston, Golf
Anthony Stelhin - Concord, Baseball
Noah Tarr - Davis & Elkins, Wrestling
Pedro Gaspar - Fairmont State, Swimming
Justus LePrevost, Cross Country/Track
Seth Arnold - Glenville State, Football
Ben Ross - Notre Dame College - Baseball
Cole Laya - West Liberty, Wrestling
Andrew Stone - West Virginia State, Baseball
Tanner Faulkiner - West Virginia Wesleyan, Track & Field
The Male Scholar Athlete of the Year will be announced on Thursday, June 30th. And stay tuned to wucardinals.com for more academic awards all summer long.
