HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Big South Conference has announced its 2025 All-Conference Teams as High Point University had a program record nine student-athletes honored on the end-of-year award lists.
 
Konni Durschlag was named the Big South Player of the Year, while Wade Walton was tabbed Freshman of the Year. First Team All-Conference saw Miggy Echazarreta, Brayden Simpson, Adam Grintz, Durschlag, and Walton. Christian Smith, Jackson Melton, and Landen Johnson were named to Second Team All-Conference, while Walton found himself on the All-Freshman Team, and James Murphy on the All-Academic Team.
 
Konni Durschlag, Sr., Outfielder: Player of the Year + First Team All-Conference

The .442 hitter finished the regular season second in the nation in batting average, second in on base percentage (.556), fifth in hits (92), eighth in total bases (160), while also leading in five offensive categories in the Big South Conference. Durschlag roped 15 home runs in the leadoff spot, 21 doubles, and 56 rbi, while starting in center field in all 53 games played in. He was named to the D1 Baseball Midseason All-American Watch list, while also being named to the NCAA National Lineup of the Week.
 
Wade Walton, Fr., Pitcher: Freshman of the Year + First Team All-Conference + All-Freshman Team

Walton led the Big South in wins (8) as he made 14 starts for HPU. With a 4.41 ERA, Walton struck out 87 batters in 79.2 innings pitched, and tallied two complete games, one being a seven-inning shutout. Walton threw a career-high 11 strikeouts in seven innings against Charleston Southern, as he averaged 6.2 strikeouts per game. The 3x Starting Pitcher of the Week held opposing batters to a .240 batting average in 300 at-bats.
 
Miggy Echazarreta, Sr., Outfielder: First Team All-Conference

Echazarreta finished the regular season with a .362 batting average, tallying 64 hits, 17 doubles, one triple, and four home runs, while placing second in the nation and leading the conference with 63 walks. A threat on the bases with 18 stolen bags and scoring 60 runs for the Panthers. Echazarreta recorded 20 multi-hit games, and at one point held a 11-game hit streak while reaching base 28 games in a row.
 
Brayden Simpson, Jr., Infielder: First Team All-Conference

While starting in every game this season, Simpson slashed .396/.483/.775 while leading the team and conference in home runs (20). He finished top 10 in the nation in hits (88), doubles (24), slugging percentage (.775), total bases (172), and runs batted in (74), while also leading the Big South in three of those categories. He recorded 27 multi-hit games, while tallying 17 multi-rbi games in 222 at-bats. Simpson was also named No.10 on the D1 Baseball Top 50 Third Basemen list.
 
Adam Grintz, Gr., Pitcher: First Team All-Conference

In 19 relief appearances, Grintz led the bullpen with a 2.68 ERA in 37 innings pitched. A perfect 5-0 record with four saves, holding opponents to a .264 batting average while surrendering just 11 earned runs, two home runs, and striking out 28 batters. Against conference opponents, Grintz pitched to a 2.50 ERA in 18 innings, allowing just five runs on 18 hits. He earned three of his five wins, and two of his four saves against Big South competition.
 
Christian Smith, Jr., Outfielder: Second Team All-Conference

Starting in 52 games, Smith held a .330 batting average, tallying nine doubles, three triples, and smoking 14 home runs. Not only did Smith leg out three triples, but he also was a perfect 8-8 when stealing bases. Smith recorded a .400 batting average during games against conference opponents with a slugging percentage of .890 as he hit 12 homers. Smith was one of six Panthers with an OPS higher than 1.000.
 
Jackson Melton, Gr., Infielder: Second Team All-Conference
 
Melton played in 48 games for the Panthers batting .337 in 175 at-bats. He recorded 59 hits, 13 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, and drove in 52 runs. Melton tallied 17 multi-hit games as he at one point also held a 19 game on base streak. Melton notched a season-high four hits at Radford (3/29/25), and a season-high six rbi against Gardner-Webb (5/10/25).
 
Landen Johnson, Jr., Infielder: Second Team All-Conference
 
Splitting his time at first base and the designated hitter position, Johnson played in 54 games for HPU as he held a .355 batting average in 211 at-bats. Tallying 75 hits, 18 doubles, 14 home runs, and is third in the nation in rbi with 78 runs batted in. He recorded 21 multi-hit games as three of those saw Johnson hit two home runs. He finished the regular season on a nine-game hit streak.
 
James Murphy, Gr., Infielder: All-Academic Team

Murphy played all 51 games as the Panthers shortstop as he played a critical role on the infield. At the plate, Murphy batted to a .269 average, tallying 47 hits, nine doubles, 13 home runs, and driving in 38 runs. On the bases, Murphy was 10-14 while swiping bags and totaling 95 total bases. Off the field, Murphy was a scholar in the classroom earning a 3.96 GPA and graduating with a masters in Business Administration. 
 
A program record nine Panthers were listed to All-Conference Teams as HPU will battle for the Big South Championship starting on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. at Truist Point.

2025 BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE BASEBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
 
FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
OF – Konni Durschlag, High Point
OF – Miggy Echazarreta, High Point
OF – Scott Campbell, USC Upstate
INF – Brayden Simpson, High Point
INF – Vance Sheahan, USC Upstate
INF – Gabe Natividad, Winthrop
INF – Hunter Keen, Radford
C – Preston Lucas, USC Upstate
UTL – Myles Webb, Longwood
DH – Johnny Sweeney, USC Upstate
SP – Clay Edmondson, UNC Asheville
SP – Wade Walton, High Point
SP – Amp Phillips, USC Upstate
RP – Ryan DuSang, Charleston Southern
RP – Adam Grintz, High Point
 
SECOND-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
OF – Scott Newman, USC Upstate
OF – Christian Smith, High Point
OF – Josh Skowronski, Winthrop
INF – Trey Fenderson, Presbyterian
INF – Breckin Nace, Radford
INF – Jackson Melton, High Point
INF – Landen Johnson, High Point
C – Rylen Stockton, UNC Asheville
UTL – Harrison Wilson, Winthrop
DH – Kaden Smith, Charleston Southern
SP – Chris Torres, USC Upstate
SP – Darin Kuskie, USC Upstate
SP – Owen Sarna, Winthrop
RP – Tyler Henshaw, Charleston Southern
RP – Cooper Ellingworth, USC Upstate
 
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-CONFERENCE
James Ward, INF, Radford
AJ Martin, INF, Charleston Southern
Ryan Kennell, INF, Gardner-Webb
Max Bianchini, RP, USC Upstate
Henry Zenor, OF, USC Upstate
 
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Wade Walton, SP, High Point
Rylen Stockton, C, UNC Asheville
Josh Skowronski, OF, Winthrop
Henry Zenor, OF, USC Upstate
Tyrell Williams, SP, Presbyterian
Mikey Urbaniak, C, Longwood
Eli Hudgins, UTL, Radford
 
ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Aidan McAskie, Charleston Southern
Michael Ciminiello, Gardner-Webb
James Murphy, High Point
James Nelson, Longwood
Jake Randolph, Presbyterian
Breckin Nace, Radford
Owen Michelson, UNC Asheville
Braden Consaul, USC Upstate
Shane Keup, Winthrop
 
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Konni Durschlag, OF, High Point
 
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Clay Edmondson, UNC Asheville
 
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Amp Phillips, SP, USC Upstate
 
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Wade Walton, SP, High Point
 
COACH OF THE YEAR
Kane Sweeney, USC Upstate
 
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Aidan McAskie, Charleston Southern