Dexter Jordan, Wiley Cleland, Coach Michael Avalon honored by Region XXIII

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Dexter Jordan (Hattiesburg) and Wiley Cleland (Columbia; Columbia, Academy) picked up another honor Tuesday when they were named to the All-Region XXIII Team. Michael Avalon was also named the Region's Coach of the Year. The All-Region team was selected by the region's coaches.

A reliable middle of the order bat, Cleland hit .327 with a .428 OBP and .600 slugging percentage. The Louisiana-Monroe signee tied for third on the team in homers (11), second in RBIs (53) and led the Wildcats with 19 doubles. His 67 hits were second-best on the team, as were his 58 runs scored. He also stole five bases. Cleland earned the MACJC Player of the Week honor once this season.

Jordan ranked fourth nationally with 18 homers, while his 66 RBIs were good enough for ninth. Jordan also hit .284 with a .389 OBP and a team-best .649 slugging percentage. In addition to his homers, Jordan hit 15 doubles and scored 53 times. He also stole eight bases. Following the season, Jordan was a 16th round selection of the Houston Astros, marking the second straight season a Wildcat has been drafted directly from PRCC. Jordan was also a MACJC Player of the Week selection.

Avalon just completed his third season at the helm of the Pearl River program. The Wildcats finished 41-14 overall, winning the Region XXIII Tournament to earn the program's second-ever NJCAA Tournament berth. Overall at Pearl River, Avalon is 107-44 with a MACJC Title from 2018.

MORE AWARDS

Jordan and Cleland aren't the lone Wildcats to receive post-season recognition. Shemar Page (Raleigh), Miles Smith (Laurel; Northeast Jones) and Noah Barron (Hoover, Ala.) were All-MACJC First Team selections, with Matt Taylor (Raleigh), Jerod Meggs (Kosciusko) and Austen Izzio (Carriere; Pearl River Central) all earning spots on the league's second team.

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).