The OC Riptide and the UNLV Rebels have a strong connection. Four current Rebels are on the roster for the ‘Tide in 2021, and all four have the potential to make huge impacts. Junior catcher Eric Bigani hit .317 during the regular season, sophomore infielder and former freshman All-American Edarian Williams hit .360, and the versatile freshman Austin Kryszczuk finished with a .361 batting average and 1.012 OPS.  Despite these big numbers, nobody on UNLV, and maybe not the Mountain West Conference, had as great a season as first baseman and designated hitter Jack-Thomas Wold.

All four of these future Riptide helped UNLV become the Mountain West Conference’s best offensive team in 2021, leading the Mountain West in several categories including team batting average (.330), slugging percentage (.539), and on-base percentage (.408 ). They couldn’t have done it without the help of Wold and his eye-popping numbers. 

His .429 batting average was fourth-best in the country, and his sizzling 1.284 OPS was good enough to be third-best nationally. Not only did he lead the team in virtually all other offensive categories, he was among the leaders in the conference in most areas as well, including a Mountain West-leading 12 home runs and finished in the top ten in hits, doubles, and RBI. 

With numbers like these, it's no surprise there was no shortage of big games from the Henderson, Nev. native. He had 19 multi-hit games this season, including a five-hit effort against San Diego State on May 15 where he hit three doubles and knocked in five runs. He had four-hit games on three other occasions as well.  He finished the regular season on a streak of 19 straight games of reaching base, and earning conference player of the week honors on May 17. 

After the dust settles on the 2021 collegiate season, Wold will be traveling across state lines to Orange County where he hopes to continue his offensive hot streak.  Riptide fans will get the chance to see one of baseball’s top prospects wearing blue and orange all summer long. Stay up to date with the heavy-hitting Rebel here, and all things Riptide at https://ocriptide.com.

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