ARLINGTON, Texas -- UTA's Brady Cox, Darien McLemore, Jacob Moreland and Kadon Simmons were named award recipients from the 2016 baseball season, head coach Darin Thomas announced on Saturday at the sixth-annual First-Pitch Fundraiser.

Cox was tabbed the UTA Hitter of the Year, McLemore won UTA Defensive Player of the Year, Moreland was named UTA Reliever of the Year and Simmons was honored as UTA's Pitcher of the Year.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Cox led the Mavericks in average (.365), hits (81) and on-base percentage (.427) in 2016. The senior ranked third in the Sun Belt Conference in average and hits, fourth in on-base percentage. Cox, while starting 55 of UTA's 58 games behind the plate, reached base safely in 51 of his 57 starts. He finished 2016 with 12 doubles, one triple, two homers and 41 RBI, hitting .379 in conference play. In his career, Cox has played in 130 games and hit .313 (137-for-438) with 17 doubles, 70 RBI and four steals.

McLemore earned team defensive player of the year accolades after serving as a fixture at second base in 2016, committing only four errors in 58 games. A free-agent signee of the Atlanta Braves following the season, McLemore hit .324 with 13 doubles, two triples, five homers and 44 RBI as a senior.

A relief workhorse over his four-year UTA career, Moreland earned team reliever of the year honors in 2016. The sidearm righty appeared in 30 games and had a 6-1 record and 2.27 ERA, saving five games. Moreland worked 71.1 innings, allowing only 63 hits and 19 walks, striking out 40 and holding opponents to a .238 average.

Simmons, junior and native of Cut & Shoot, Texas, led the Sun Belt in wins (nine), while leading the Mavs in starts (15), complete games (two), innings pitched (103.1) and strikeouts (64). He had a 9-4 record and a 3.05 ERA, ranking ninth in the SBC in ERA and third in innings pitched. Simmons allowed 95 hits and 24 walks, holding opponents to a .244 average. In conference play, Simmons had a 5-3 record and a 3.25 ERA. A transfer from North Central Texas CC in 2016, Simmons finished the year with eight quality starts and one complete-game shutout.

UTA opens its 2017 season on Feb. 17 vs. Southeast Missouri State at 2:30 p.m. on the campus of Stephen F. Austin.

FIRST-PITCH FUNDRAISER RECAP
UTA held its sixth annual First-Pitch Fundraiser on Saturday at Clay Gould Ballpark and the Justin D. Wilson Hitting Facility.

The Mavericks kicked off the day by hosting the alumni in a nine-inning scrimmage, before welcoming over 250 supporters for the First-Pitch Fundraiser. The event included a team preview from coach Darin Thomas, the introduction of the coaching staff and student-athletes, and a live auction to benefit the Maverick Club. While welcoming back student-athletes, families, Maverick Club members and community supporters at the event, over $7,500 was raised for the UTA baseball program. The event was catered by Fuzzy's Taco Shop and Pokey O's.

All told during the day, 42 former Mavericks returned to participate in the event, including 23 who have played professional baseball and seven current professional players. With over 600 fans at the event, the 34th alumni game in program history, it marked UTA's largest attendance.