News Summary
Five standout players from the UNLV baseball team have been selected for the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, recognizing their achievements in both athletics and academics. Among the honorees are JP Hefft and Carson Lane, who are also finalists for the prestigious Academic All-America ballot. This selection highlights the players’ commitment to excellence, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.50, while showcasing their talent on the field. The College Sports Communicators program aims to honor outstanding student-athletes across various NCAA divisions and associations.
Las Vegas, NV – Five players from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) baseball team have been selected to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team, an honor that recognizes outstanding student-athletes for their excellence both on the field and in the classroom. The announcement was made on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
The UNLV players honored are JP Hefft, Carson Lane, Will Marquart, Brendan O’Sullivan, and Elijah Rodriguez. Notably, Hefft and Lane are also finalists for the prestigious CSC Academic All-America® ballot. The selections for the first, second, and third teams of the Academic All-America program will be announced on July 1, 2025.
The Academic All-District teams are part of a program that recognizes players from NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Eligible players must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50, and pitchers must pitch in at least 35.0 innings or make 17 appearances to qualify.
Highlighting the Players
JP Hefft
JP Hefft is a senior majoring in economics, earning his second consecutive CSC Academic All-District honor. In the 2025 season, he started 51 of 52 games and led UNLV with eight stolen bases and 45 runs scored. Hefft achieved an impressive batting average of .308, which ranks third on the team, while recording 65 hits, including 12 doubles and four home runs, contributing to 38 RBIs. He holds a cumulative GPA of 3.61 and is on the UNLV Dean’s List.
Carson Lane
Carson Lane, a sophomore studying kinesiology, has made significant contributions to the baseball team, being named to the All-Mountain West First Team. In Mountain West games, he secured five wins and recorded 61 strikeouts with a solid ERA of 4.45 over 56.2 innings pitched. Lane was part of UNLV’s first no-hitter since 2003 and led the team with 85 strikeouts, finishing the season with a 6-4 record. Lane’s academic achievements include a cumulative GPA of 3.66.
Will Marquart
Will Marquart, a fifth-year senior, is studying data analytics and made notable appearances in 21 games, all in relief. He boasts a commendable record of 4-1 with one save, pitching a total of 34 innings. Marquart’s performance resulted in 42 strikeouts while allowing 20 runs (15 earned). He has maintained a flawless 4.00 cumulative GPA throughout his academic career.
Brendan O’Sullivan
Brendan O’Sullivan, a senior majoring in sociology, played in a career-high 47 games with 43 starts during the season. He batted .263, achieving a career-best 45 hits and 13 doubles, along with 25 RBIs and 17 runs scored. O’Sullivan demonstrated his skill in Mountain West games, tying for second with four sacrifice flies. His academic performance is equally impressive, with a cumulative GPA of 3.85 and recognition on the UNLV Dean’s List.
Elijah Rodriguez
Elijah Rodriguez is a senior majoring in urban studies, with participation in 42 games and 36 starts. He achieved a batting average of .306, with 44 hits, nine doubles, a triple, and two home runs, while collecting 24 RBIs. Defensively, Rodriguez excelled with a 1.000 fielding percentage and has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.59.
Conclusion
The recognition of these five players highlights the balance of academic achievement and athletic performance that is a cornerstone of the UNLV baseball program. As they advance to the next level of consideration for Academic All-America honors, the UNLV community celebrates their accomplishments, which reflect the dedication and commitment of the student-athletes.
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