Baseball | February 02, 2026

AIKEN, S.C. – The Hutson-Etherredge Companies and Auto-Owners Insurance USCA Student-Athlete of the Week is baseball standout Ben Shepherd.

A native of Trion, Ga., he guided the Pacers to a 2-0 week.

Shepherd, pitching in the second game of the Keith Gorman era, hurled a no-hitter in the 10-0 victory over Mars Hill.

The freshman, competing in his first collegiate contest, had five strikeouts while giving up just a mere fourth-inning walk.

It marked the second no-hitter in USCA's Division II history.

According to the NCAA, "It is believed to be the first no-hitter thrown in a Division II baseball pitcher's first career start, especially on opening day."

The Hutson-Etherredge Companies and Auto-Owners Insurance USCA Athletic Department Student-Athlete of the Week honors one student-athlete each week from an in-season sport for their hard work and effort.



Feb. 2, 2026 – Ben Shepherd - Baseball
Jan. 26, 2026 – Monique Emelifeonwu – Women's Basketball
Jan. 19, 2026 – Jonah Lawrence – Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2026 – Monique Emelifeonwu – Women's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2026 – Caleb Byrd – Men's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2025 - Josiah Harding - Men's Basketball
Dec. 15, 2025 – Mackenna Nix – Women's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2025 – Mackenna Nix – Women's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2025 – Caleb Byrd – Men's Basketball
Nov. 24, 2025 - Lexi Rogers - Volleyball
Nov. 17, 2025 – Morgan McDermott – Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2025 – Chloe Duzenack - Volleyball
Nov. 3, 2025 – Savannah Yerger – Women's Soccer
Oct. 27, 2025 – Daniel Kiprono – Men's Cross Country
Oct. 20, 2025 – Karl Frisk - Golf
Oct. 13, 2025 – Alaynah Guthrie – Women's Cross Country
Oct. 6, 2025 – Anna Sommer - Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2025 – Daniel Kiprono – Men's Cross Country
Sept. 22, 2025 – Rafael Reno – Men's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2025 – Daniel Kiprono – Men's Cross Country
Sept. 8, 2025 – Daniel Kiprono – Men's Cross Country