By Kaila Morales |Staff Writer|

Coyote right-handed pitcher Tyler Wells was selected for the All-CCAA (California Collegiate Athletic Association) first team, which took place during the CCAA tournament banquet.

Wells joined a team of 16 others to make up the All-CCAA first team and 16 members of the All-CCAA second team for a total of 33 and was the only Coyote representing CSUSB.

Wells finished the season, tied for first for most strikeouts in the CCAA with a total of 89 and he was able to led CSUSB to the CCAA Tournament for the first time in four seasons.

Wells was also honored by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association, earning a spot on the All-West Region’s second team as well.

“It’s nice to be acknowledged for the records that I have, but I’m just trying to improve everyday as an individual and really trying to focus on the ultimate goal,” said Wells.

Wells was the starting pitcher for 15 games this season. He finished the 2016 season with a 4-6 record and 2.84 ERA (earned run average).

He ranked third in the conference in innings pitched with 92 total and ninth in ERA.

His 89 strikeouts for the 2016 season ranked fourth in CSUSB history, as well as his 92 innings ranking eighth in the school’s overall history for innings pitched.

Wells’ most memorable moments for this season included striking out a career-high 12 batters in the season opener at Sonoma State, throwing a one-hit shutout in a 4-0 win over Stanislaus State and being awarded CCAA Pitcher of the Week twice.

Wells also became the Coyotes’ first starting pitcher to earn an All-CCAA first-team starting pitcher honoree since 2006.

Wells, who is from Yucaipa, does not refer to himself as a “Yucaipa Native,” as he was actually born and raised in Oklahoma, identifying himself as a “Country Boy.”

A junior at CSUSB, Wells is a kinesiology major and wishes to pursue medical school whenever he is done with his baseball career.

Confident in his abilities, Wells sees his baseball career taking the next big step to professional baseball.

“The MLB [Major League Baseball] draft is coming up on June 9 to 11, and right now it’s looking to go pretty good,” said Wells.

Wells, who has been training with MLB teams such as the Chicago Cubs and the Minnesota Twins, said that becoming a professional baseball player has been his dream since he was five years old.

“I’ll probably be continuing my baseball career sooner than later, I may not even finish my senior season here,” added Wells.

For Wells, his favorite thing about baseball is the pure unpredictability of what the game can bring.

“There’s never a day where it’s the same thing. Everyday is a different kind of grind and can be full of tons of surprises,” said Wells.

The unpredictability is also Wells’ least favorite part of baseball.

“The worst thing about baseball is that you never know if the bats are going to show up, if the pitching is going to show up or if the gloves are going to show up,” said Wells.

“It’s such an unpredictable sport that it has such a love hate relationship. It could be the greatest thing and it could be the worst thing,” concluded Wells.

When Wells is not on the field, his life still revolves around baseball. He’s either working out, watching baseball on TV or trying to figure out ways to get better.

Wells, who looks up to New York Mets pitcher Noah Sydergarrd for his strong mentality and his love for the game, said that’s what being a great baseball player is all about.

Congratulations Tyler Wells on all your accomplishments this season, CSUSB hopes you continue to do great things with your baseball career.