UW-Whitewater's Pierce Tabbed Academic All-American by CoSIDA

2015 Jun 2

Senior shortstop Mikole Pierce, a native of DePere, WI, and member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team, has been named to the 2015 Capital One Academic All-America Division III Baseball third team by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Pierce, a graduate of De Pere High School, last month earned his bachelor's in general business. He is the fifth Academic All-American in program history.

A three-time first team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, Pierce garnered third team All-America accolades from D3baseball.com and the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2015 after helping lead UW-Whitewater to its third straight WIAC regular season championship and eighth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

This season, Pierce led the conference in walks (32) and ranked among league leaders in batting average (.379), runs batted in (48), home runs (10), total bases (115), stolen bases (18), hits (64), runs scored (45), doubles (15), triples (3), on-base percentage (.484) and slugging percentage (.680).

Pierce concluded his standout three-year career with the Warhawks ranked among the top 10 in team history in career runs (151), hits (207), RBIs (160), doubles (40), home runs (25), batting average (.404), stolen bases (37) and walks (89). He is No. 1 all time with 15 triples.

In 2014, Pierce earned All-America, Midwest Region Player of the Year and WIAC Co-Position Player of the Year honors after helping lead UW-Whitewater to the program's second national championship in 10 years.

In addition to his multiple on-field accomplishments, Pierce was an active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rick, Walworth and Jefferson Counties during his career. The Janesville Gazette featured him for his service in April.

Pierce received consideration for Academic All-America by being tabbed Capital One Academic All-District 6 by CoSIDA in May. Minimum requirements for nomination include a 3.30 cumulative GPA at current institution, sophomore standing and 50 percent or more participation in varsity competition.