Wallace State’s Luke Fernandez named ACCC Pitcher of the Year

Fernandez, Payton earn place on All Conference First-Team

Hanceville, AL —Wallace State student-athlete Luke Fernandez was named Pitcher of the Year by the Alabama Community College Conference.

Fernandez led the ACCC in strike outs. The freshman out of Cummings, Ga., smoked 100 batters for the season, 20 more than the next leading pitcher in the conference. He is ranked first in strikeouts per game, second in innings pitched and seventh in earned runs. He allowed no home runs during his time on the mound for the Lions.

Coach Randy Putman said Fernandez stepped up when the team lost two other pitchers to injuries.

“He’s a tremendous competitor on the mound and will have a great success at Middle Tennessee State next season,” Putman said.

Fernandez and Colten Payton, a freshman catcher from Huntsville, were both named to the Division I All-Conference First-Team. Payton also pitched in at first and third base during the season.

Defensively, Payton is ranked sixth overall for put outs and total chances. Offensively, he ranks 30th in slugging percentage at .605, and 16th for total bases (85), home runs (6) and doubles (12).

“Colten played at a high level all season,” Putman said. “He was definitely a presence behind the plate as well as a hitter. I’m looking forward to having him back for his second season in 2025.”

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally-recognized by the Aspen Institute among the top institutions according to student outcomes, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.