MOREHEAD, Ky. – Outstanding performances in the classroom, community and on the field paid off for Morehead State baseball's
Ryley Preece this week, as the Eagles' leadoff hitter and centerfielder was honored as one of six recipients of the prestigious OVC Scholar-Athlete Award.
The honor makes Ryley the 17
th male and 31
st Eagle overall to win the award.
"It is truly an honor to be named an OVC Scholar Athlete," said Preece. "I see this as a reflection of the greatness of Morehead State. Every staff member, faculty, or coach I've met at MSU has displayed the qualities it takes to reach this level of prestige. Being surrounded by individuals that constantly push me to be my best is the reason I was able to win this award. Thank you to everyone that has supported me throughout my college career, this honor is as much yours as it is mine. Go Eagles!"
In the classroom, Preece has spent his time at MSU working towards a bachelor's degree in exercise science. He holds a grade-point average of 3.793, and an anticipated graduation date of May 2024. He has been named to the Dean's List in six consecutive semesters, and the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll three times.
Preece is a member of the Herron Leadership Organization, and has contributed to the community in multiple ways both on and off campus. In 2020, Preece assisted in the Morehead State baseball team's "Movember" campaign, raising money for men's mental health awareness. He has also volunteered in putting on the Special Olympics Parade (2022), and within the athletic department at MSU, working parking at Morehead State football games in both 2022 and 2023.
On the field, the senior from Paintsville, Ky., has been nothing short of phenomenal since bursting onto the scene as a freshman in 2021. During his freshman season, Preece finished with a batting average over .300, became the first Eagle to hit for the cycle since 2018, doing so vs. Eastern Kentucky (3/13/21), and was named to the OVC All-Freshman Team. As a sophomore, Preece was named OVC Player of the Week on April 3, 2022, following a three-home run game vs. Tennessee Tech.
As a junior, Preece put together one of the best individual seasons in MSU history on his way to being named OVC Player of the Year, First Team All-OVC, and ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Midwest Region. Batting leadoff, Preece posted the first and only 20 HR/20 SB season in program history, finishing with 21 homers and 21 stolen bases, batting .335 with 15 doubles and five triples. He also became the first Morehead State player since 2019 to hit an inside-the-park home run vs. SIUE (5/13/23) and had a pair of games where he blasted three home runs.
Preece returns as a senior this spring as he and the Morehead State baseball team look to defend the OVC Regular Season Championship and capture a fifth OVC Tournament Title.
