B-CU’s Hernandez named Black College Nines Coach of the Year

(Source Daytona Times):

      Jonathan Hernandez, Bethune-Cookman’s head baseball coach, has been named the 2024 Black College Nines Coach of the Year, while pitcher Tanner Boccabello and designated hitter Jose Gonzalez were named to the Large School Division First Team, it was announced Tuesday from the Black College Nines home office.

Selections were made based upon statistical information, mid-season reports including research provided by Black College Nines and both coaching staffs and their sports information directors. Player, Pitcher and Coach of the Year awards were voted upon by Black College Nines and members of the national media.

Jonathan Hernandez, just concluding his sixth year at the helm in Daytona Beach, helped Bethune-Cookman to a 32-27 overall record on the campaign in 2024, including a 19-10 record in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play. That league record allowed the Wildcats to claim the No. 2 seed from the Eastern Division in the SWAC Tournament, as the Cats advanced to the semifinals of the tournament for the second consecutive season.

Notable wins for the Wildcats this past season included away to Atlantic Coast Conference foe Miami, Florida International, Florida Gulf Coast, and Stetson.

Tanner Boccabello was named the SWAC Newcomer of the Year, as the Tampa native finished the season with an 8-3 record after transferring to Bethune-Cookman from St. John’s River State College.

The right-hander logged 98.1 innings on the bump this past season, adding the SWAC’s lowest ERA with a 2.93 mark. He picked up 73 strikeouts (sixth-most in the league) across the campaign, helping the Cats to a SWAC Tournament opening win from Prairie View A&M on May 22 in Atlanta.

Jose Gonzalez arrived to Bethune-Cookman after spending two seasons at Ave Maria. In his first year with the BCU program, the Hialeah product led the Maroon and Gold with a .367 batting average. He finished tied atop the team with seven home runs, adding a team-high 56 RBIs and scoring a team second-most matching 43 runs.

Gonzalez finished the regular season tied for fifth in the SWAC for RBIs and tied for sixth for hits (73). He also logged a .552 slugging percentage to go along with a .461 on-base percentage – all from his designated hitter position in the lineup.

Norfolk State’s Justin Journette was selected Player of the Year, and Florida A&M’s Caleb Granger was voted Pitcher of the Year. Freshman of the Year honors went to Michael Smith of Prairie View A&M.

     For a complete list of this year’s Black College Nines awards, visit blackcollegenines.com.