CHICAGO (June 7, 2024) – The National College Baseball Writers Association released its District Player of the Year honors on Friday, and UIC outfielder Kendal Ewell (Calumet City, Ill./Kentucky) was named as the District 5 Player of the Year for 2024. The prestigious list of nine district winners also includes the three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award (National Player of the Year). All nine are under strong consideration for the NCBWA All-America teams, which will be revealed on Wednesday, June 12.
 
"This is a well-deserved honor for Kendal," commented head coach Sean McDermott. "He is the ultimate team player who was solely focused on winning as a group, but his impact on our team this season is well worth the recognition."
 
Ewell re-wrote the UIC baseball single season record book in 2024, setting new highs in home runs (21) and RBI (69). He also ranks in the top-ten in average, hits, doubles and runs. He is the first player in UIC baseball history to earn District Player of the Year honors.
 
Ewell helped the Flames close the season at 34-20 and 16-11 in the rugged Missouri Valley Conference, which at one time had as many as five teams in contention for NCAA berths. His 21-home run performance was second in the MVC, and his .789 slugging percentage paced the conference. Ewell finished in the top five in seven different statistical categories on the way to being named the Joe Carter Player of the Year as well as Newcomer of the Year.
 
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