ABCA/Rawlings All-America Teams
RICHMOND, Ky. – EKU closer
Will Brian earned his third All-America honor when he was recently selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings NCAA Division I All-America Third Team.
The Brandenburg, Kentucky native was one of only five relief pitchers to be chosen to the three ABCA All-America Teams.
Brian was chosen as a first team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and a third team All-American by
Collegiate Baseball Newspaper earlier this month. He was a finalist for the 17th NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award and was also chosen first team all-region by the ABCA. Brian went 3-0 in 2022 with a 1.83 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 39 and one-third innings pitched. He allowed only eight runs and 16 hits all season.
The redshirt junior broke EKU's single season saves record of 12. He was first in the ASUN in appearances (31) and third in strikeouts among pitchers who did not start a game. Brian made five appearances against RPI top-100 teams, including No. 1 Tennessee, without allowing a hit or a run and striking out nine in five and one-thirds innings. He was the first team ASUN All-Conference pick at relief pitcher.
Despite being picked to place eighth overall in the ASUN Preseason Poll, Eastern Kentucky finished the season 38-20, champions of the ASUN West Division and tied for the best conference record in the ASUN. It's the most wins for an EKU team since the 1990 squad won 42 games. The Colonels won all three of their games in pool play to earn a spot in the ASUN Tournament semifinals.