Ouachita Baptist junior Will Gowdy has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Division II Preseason All-America First Team as a utility player, as the organization made the official announcement on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Gowdy is the first preseason All-American in school history, after being named to the Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association All-South Region First team as a junior. The Amarillo, Texas native was also named as the Gulf South Conference West Division Player of the Year after being named to the First team All-GSC team as both an outfielder and a pitcher for his efforts in 2009. Gowdy hit .429 with a school record 29 doubles and also added 11 HR and 55 RBI. On the mound, Gowdy earned a 10-3 record with a 4.04 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 75 innings of work.
“Will had a great Junior year and is very deserving of this honor,” OBU Head Baseball Coach Chris Moddelmog said. “We look forward to him leading the way on the mound and at the plate this season.”
Ouachita Baptist begins the 2010 baseball season on Saturday, Feb. 6 at Angelo State in San Angelo, Texas at 1 p.m.