HICKORY, N.C. — Two members of the Catawba Valley Community College baseball program were honored this past week with All-American status.
Catcher Sylas Mills and shortstop Pierce Bouwman were both selected as NJCAA All-Americans on Friday, becoming the 13th and 14th Red Hawks to receive the national recognition.
This is only the second time in program history that two or more Red Hawks received All-American status in a single season after three were honored following the 2021 campaign.
"I couldn't be more proud of Pierce and Sylas," said CVCC head baseball coach Marshall McDonald. "Both are third-year guys who have been through a lot and have both come out on the other side. The numbers they put up this year were unmatched. I'm so glad they got the recognition and we look forward to seeing their careers at Campbell University (Bouwman) and Old Dominion University (Mills) unfold."
Mills, a Harrisburg, N.C. product, tallied a .403 batting average with 21 home runs, 70 RBI, 67 runs scored in 56 games played this spring. His .826 slugging percentage ranks third-best in a single season and .510 on-base percentage is fourth-best in a single season in CVCC baseball history.
Mills' 21 home runs this spring are the second most in a season in program history.
"It's a great feeling knowing that all the hard work and endless hours aren't going unnoticed," Mills said. "I definitely think being named an All-American is a huge honor. It was a goal of mine. This season was special because of the support from my coaches, teammates, friends and family, who helped me on and off the field. The season didn't turn out how we wanted, but I won't forget how much fun we all had together grinding for a ring. Those will forever be my guys, and I'm grateful for them every day. I'm definitely gonna miss CVCC. It was an unforgettable experience, and I'm glad I was able to leave my mark."
A Sanford, N.C. native, Bouwman recorded a .387 batting average, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 67 runs scored in 56 games played. He also tallied a .806 slugging percentage and .483 on-base percentage.
Bouwman set the single-season program records for home runs (23), extra-base hits (44), total bases (175), plate appearances (265) and at bats (217) this spring. His 84 hits this season were also tied for the third-most in a season in program history
Bouwman's 25 home runs (25) and 57 extra-base hits are the most in a CVCC baseball career, and he also finished his career third in doubles (31), fifth in runs scored (92), third in runs batted in (95) and second in total bases (229).
"Receiving All-American means a lot because of what the team went through this year," Bouwman said. "We went through countless hardships, but never stopped striving to win games. If I didn't have those guys pushing me every day to be better, I wouldn't have dreamed of having the season I had."
The 67 runs scored and 70 runs batted in by both Mills and Bouwman are the second-most in a season in program history.
Mills and Bouwman were both instrumental in helping Catawba Valley finish its 2026 season with a 36-23 overall record, including 25-10 mark in Region 10 play.
The duo join fellow CVCC baseball All-Americans Danny Fraga (2012), Ryan Smith (2013), Bryson Bowman (2014), Danny Sullivan (2015), Ty Andrus (2016), Chandler Jenkins (2017), Julian Smith (2018), Logan Bender (2019), James Hinson (2021), Will Samuelson (2021), Chandler Blackwelder (2021) and Jack Stevens (2023).