Baseball | 2/10/2026 1:00:00 PM
BIRMINGHAM, AL - Arkansas-Pine Bluff baseball earned early recognition heading into the season as Kenney Fabian and Vinny Saumell were both named to the Preseason All-SWAC team, highlighting the Golden Lions' balance of frontline pitching and proven offensive production. Fabian was selected to the First Team, while Saumell earned Second Team honors, giving UAPB representation on both sides of the ball before the first pitch of conference play is even thrown.
Fabian's First Team selection follows a season in which he established himself as one of the most reliable starters in the league. The right-hander logged 84.1 innings across 15 appearances (14 starts), anchoring the rotation with a 3.84 ERA and 1.35 WHIP while consistently working deep into games. He struck out 61 batters against just 26 walks, held opponents to a .267 batting average, and delivered length that few pitchers in the conference matched. Fabian's impact was especially evident down the stretch, when he turned in multiple dominant outings, including seven scoreless innings against Southern, seven shutout frames versus Grambling State, and back-to-back nine-inning performances against Jackson State and Alabama A&M, allowing no runs across those two starts. With three complete games and a reputation for answering the call in high-leverage weekends, Fabian enters the season as a proven tone-setter at the front of the Golden Lions' staff.
Saumell's Second Team selection reflects his consistency and dependability as an everyday presence in the lineup. Appearing in 38 games with 38 starts, Saumell hit .336 with 47 hits in 140 at-bats, producing 21 runs and 29 RBIs while serving as a steady run producer throughout the year. He showed a mature, disciplined approach at the plate, drawing 15 walks, resulting in a .406 on-base percentage and an .813 OPS. Saumell also added extra-base impact with seven doubles and a home run, finishing with 57 total bases and a .407 slugging percentage. His ability to deliver quality at-bats, move runners, and stay consistent over the course of the season made him a fixture in the lineup and a reliable offensive option night in and night out.
Together, the preseason honors for Fabian and Saumell underscore the foundation Arkansas-Pine Bluff brings into the year—fronted by a proven weekend starter and supported by a lineup anchored by disciplined, productive bats. With both players returning to familiar roles and carrying momentum from strong seasons, the Golden Lions enter SWAC play with experience, stability, and expectations firmly in place.
