Mary Baldwin baseball's Patrick Sido has been named USA South Rookie of the Year and earned All-Conference First Team honors as an outfielder.

The Springfield, Virginia, native becomes the first Mary Baldwin baseball player to win conference rookie of the year and the first to be named to the All-Conference First Team in program history.

Sido led the Fighting Squirrels in multiple hitting categories, including hits (51), home runs (8) and RBIs (50). He also led all freshmen in the conference in home runs.

"Patrick was a consistent presence in the middle of our lineup all year. Transitioning from the high school to college level and contributing every day is tough, but Patrick did it at a high level all year long," head coach Scott Hearn said. "Patrick has an elite work ethic, he's coachable, and he doesn't ride the emotional roller coaster that comes with our game at times. Patrick manages the ups and the downs with the best of them, and every day he comes to the ballpark he improves and gets better. I'm excited for and proud of Patrick for being honored as Rookie of the Year by the USA South Conference. Patrick is not only a great player but a great person, and I can't think of anyone more deserving."

"It means a lot, and the hard work is starting to pay off," Sido said.

The freshman took pride in becoming Mary Baldwin's first baseball rookie of the year and hopes the award signals a strong future for the program.

"I hope this is the first of many for future athletes at MBU," he said. "Thank you to my coaches, my parents and my teammates for pushing me and allowing this opportunity."

During the regular season, Sido was named USA South Rookie of the Week three times.

For the full USA South All-Conference Awards visit the USA South website.