BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  – After finishing the 2010's as the fourth winningest NCAA Division III program, Birmingham-Southern baseball saw four Panthers named to the D3baseball.com All-Decade Team.  Bruce Maxwell and Blake Stevens earned first-team all-decade, and Ryan Gaines and Miles Nordgren were named honorable mention.
 
"We are extremely honored that these four were selected," said Head Coach Jan Weisberg.  "To be one of only two schools, out of over four hundred that play division three baseball, to have more than two players on this team is a remarkable feat."
 
BSC had the second most honored on the team, just behind Cortland who had five.  The Panthers were also one of four programs to have two first-teamers.
 
Maxwell, the unanimous 2012 Player of the Year, was drafted by the Oakland Athletics 62^nd overall in the second round as a catcher, the highest Division III pick since 2003, and made his Major League Baseball debut July 23, 2016.  In his career on the Hilltop, he hit .430 with 190 hits, including 61 doubles and 38 home runs.  He was also earned regional and conference player of the year awards.
 
Blake Stevens competed from 2012-15.  An All-American right handed starting pitcher, he was a two-time regional pitcher of the year, and was the 2015 D3baseball.com Pitcher of the Year.  In 54 appearances, he finished with 347 strikeouts with a 1.03 WHIP.
 
Gaines was a starting pitcher on the Hilltop for four season.  The two-time first-team all-conference pitcher was named Southern Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year in 2016.  He earned 33 wins during his career 2.76 ERA in 329 innings pitched.
 
Nordgren became the third Panther in the Division III era to be drafted when the Minnesota Twins took him in the 23^rd round of the 2014 draft. The unanimous All-American righty was a three-time all-region relief pitcher.  He finished is career on the Hilltop 23 wins, six saves, a 0.86 WHIP, and 166 strikeouts.
 
"These four are great examples of what our program is built on," added Weisberg.  "Great things can happen when talent is combined with hard work and a competitive drive.  All of them were also great teammates and leaders.  This is well deserved."