DURHAM, N.C. – The Coastal Plain League (CPL) announced this morning that Peninsula outfielder Carlos Pena took home the Tucci 2025 CPL Hitter of the Year award.

“It is an honor to be named Hitter of the Year in the CPL,” said Pena. “I would like to thank my coaches and teammates for helping me get this award. This is truly a team award and it is a great accomplishment. I would also like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to play another year of baseball and letting me do what I love.”

Pena’s time in the Coastal Plain League started in Holly Springs for the 2023 summer, where he batted .228 with 13 runs and 11 RBIs. The next summer saw him join the Pilots, where he quickly became a reliable piece in head coach Hank Morgan’s lineup. That season, he played in 24 games and finished slashing .346/.500/.596. When he returned to Hampton, Va., for the 2025 season, the senior at Indiana State was prepared to take another step forward and became a leader.

“Carlos is the kind of hitter every coach loves to have in the lineup — consistent, tough, and dangerous in any situation,” shared Morgan. “What makes him stand out is not just the production, but the work ethic, unselfishness and poise he brings to the park every day. Coaching him these past two summers was a privilege I will always cherish, and watching him rise to this honor is an unsurprising byproduct of who he is as a person, teammate and leader.”

Registering time in 43 games in 2025, Pena not only led Peninsula offensively, but several of his totals were good for the highest marks in the league or among the Top 5 on the season. In 150 at-bats, he racked up 58 hits (second most in the CPL) for a .387 average (third highest across the league). Known for is power at the plate, he finished first in the CPL in both home runs (15) and slugging percentage (.740). He also drew 29 walks against 30 strikeouts, which saw him also lead the league in on-base percentage at .505 and OPS at 1.245.

But it didn’t stop there; as he was also second among CPL hitters with 54 runs scored and third in RBIs with 40. Pena also tacked on eight doubles, 21 stolen bases, was hit nine times, and had a pair of sacrifice flies.

Numbers like those saw him earn his second All-Star selection for the East CPL All-Stars, which went on to win the 2025 All-Star Game, 6-0 in Macon in early-July. He also was selected as the TrackMan Hitter of the Week twice, in weeks 1 and 6 of the season. And with Pena in the lineup, the Pilots were able to secure the top seed in the East in the postseason, but ultimately fell to eventual champion Wilson in the East Division Championship Series.

“First, I would like to thank [owner/caretaker] Henry Morgan for giving me the opportunity last year to play in his organization and giving me a chance to show my abilities,” continued Pena. “Playing under Hank Morgan was an honor, and I am grateful to play under him because he let me be me and play my style of baseball. Playing for the Peninsula Pilots was always great. Being with a great group of guys and having fun was the main thing. The Pilots Organization always made sure that we as players were good and we knew that if we needed anything, we could go to them. I would not trade any moment with them for anything. Also, thank you Peninsula Pilots fans for always supporting us and coming to the games because you guys are the reason we play so hard and we appreciate you all!”

Overall, Pena has played in three collegiate summer leagues, including stints in the MLB Draft and Appalachian Leagues prior to his three seasons in the Coastal Plain League. And while he has certainly left his mark on the CPL, he agrees that his time in the league was a memorable one.

“Once again, I would like to thank God for letting me play this amazing game and I am grateful to play in a great league like the CPL with a great team in Peninsula,” said Pena. “I would not trade those moments for anything. I had the most fun playing summer baseball in the Coastal Plain League then anywhere else I have played.”

Following the 2025 summer season, Pena signed a free agent contract with the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Frontier League to begin his professional career. In five games so far, he is swinging .353 with a pair of doubles, a home run, five runs scored and 4 RBIs.

While the league will be looking to unveil its All-CPL Teams for the 2025 season next week, Pena is sure to see his name listed among the First Team All-CPL squad. All player awards are selected after gathering feedback from head coaches and league officials, as well as seasonal statistical analysis.

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier and most innovative summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 201 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.

About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.Fo