A special season in UWF baseball history had one final keepsake moment Thursday at Jim Spooner Field. 

Pitcher Dalton Neuschwander and shortstop Trent Jeffcoat were officially presented post-season awards; Neuschwander as a first-team All-American and Jeffcoat as UWF's first Rawlings Division II Gold Glove Award winner. 

Both immediately reminded the recognition belonged to the entire Argos team. 

"It's a great honor, but it wasn't an individual award, it's a team award for sure. I wouldn't be able to do it without the guys behind me, so it's an honor though," said Neuschwander, who was selected June 1 by the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association as first team All-American, thus becoming only the third player in UWF baseball history to be selected. 

One of those guys behind him was Jeffcoat, son of long-time UWF baseball coach Mike Jeffcoat. Trent Jeffcoat became the first UWF player to receive the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Rawlings Division II Gold Glove Award, which was announced June 21. 

Both players were presented their awards by the UWF coaching staff prior to their first fall (non-recorded) baseball game against Chipola College on Thursday at UWF. 

"I don't look at it as an individual season (award)," said Trent Jeffcoat, who batted .328 last season with 32 RBI and made just six years in 52 games. "It's the first time we won a (Gulf South Conference Tournament) championship and regular season (first place) in the same year, so that was a lot more exciting than an individual award. 

"The award itself could eventually collect dust on my shelf, but I know everyone will remember the 2023 team. That is what I love about it."

With Neuschwander and Jeffcoat helping lead the way, UWF went on a 17-game winning streak that ended in a second-round loss in the GSC Tournament, but the Argos then came back to reel off four consecutive wins to claim the tournament title and earned a host role and top seed in the NCAA Division II South Regional. 

"This is definitely icing on the cake," said Mike Jeffcoat, who completed his 18^th season and surpassed 600 career wins in 2023.  "We had a tremendous year as a team. We came up short in the regional, but had a bunch of all conference players, several all- region players, first team all-region guys."

Neuschwander, who played at Spanish Fort (Alabama) High and Jeffcoat, a Tate High graduate, both checked off those boxes. 

"Neuschwander had an incredible year on the mound, going 10-0 for us and really was our leader all year long, our Friday night starter and deserving first team All-American," Mike Jeffcoat said.

"And Trent having the year he had. Only six errors all year long, the team pitching ERA was a 3.58 and next closest team in our conference (West Georgia) was (5.11) and that was because of our defense. You have to be strong up the middle to win championships and Trent has been a staple for us. 

"I couldn't be more proud as a father and obviously to win you need to have a good shortstop and I am thankful it is my son."

Neuschwander compiled his 10-0 record in 16 regular-season starts with a 1.87 ERA. Prior to the 2023 season, he added more muscle and worked in the off-season to improve his array of pitches. 

"He put on 15 pounds in the fall (2022), worked his tail off in the weight room, increased his velocity," Mike Jeffcoat said. "Kevin Johnson our pitching coach did a great job with him and our entire staff. 

"He just has a drive and desire to be the best and he was a bulldog out there all year for us. I don't think any game stamped that any better than the regional against Florida Southern when he went nine innings, complete shutout win and two hitter. 

"Whatever he does this year, I know every time he goes out there, he is going to give our team a chance to win."

The brief ceremony Thursday was tinged with some emotion for both Jeffcoats. The father-son duo this successful is a rarity in any sport. 

"It is awesome," Trent Jeffcoat said. "(Father) used to coach me on my youth league team whenever he could and now I am playing for him in college, so it is very special."