DAHLONEGA – The Peach Belt Conference announced its baseball Team of Academic Distinction for the 2024-25 academic year Friday. The University of North Georgia had six student-athletes named to the team.

To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) completed at least one full academic year at his or her current institution and has reached sophomore athletic eligibility. The Peach Belt Conference Sports Information Directors oversee the program.

Senior Jorge Arispuro, sophomore Luke Earnhardt, graduate student Zach Green, junior Andrews Opata, junior Brady Skipper and junior Ryan Taylor all made appearances on the 2025 Team of Academic Distinction. 

Arispuro has now earned a Team of Academic Distinction honor in three consecutive seasons going back to 2023. He's also a two-time PBC Presidential Honor Roll Scholar.

Earnhardt earned his first career academic award from the conference after transferring to UNG from Middle Tennessee State this past season.

Green was awarded the second academic honor from the conference in his career with Friday's announcement after also being named a 2023 PBC Presidential Honor Roll Bronze Scholar.

Opata has now earned five scholarly accolades in his career and became a two-time PBC Team of Academic Distinction member Friday.

Skipper made his first appearance on the Team of Academic Distinction this year after twice being named a PBC Presidential Honor Roll Scholar in 2023 and 2024.

Taylor also earned the first PBC academic award of his career after transferring from Gordon State last year.

The UNG baseball program has boasted three or more Team of Academic Distinction or All-Academic Team members in every season since 2015.