ST. CLOUD, Minn. – For just the second time as an NCAA Division II institution, the SWOSU Baseball team has an All-American after shortstop Alex Pimentel was named a Second Team selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
Pimentel's All-American status comes following a clean sweep of the NCAA Central Region honors where he was a First Team All-Region selection by three different outlets including the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA), American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the NCBWA.
Prior to the all-region accolades, he was previously named the Great American Conference Newcomer of the Year and a First Team All-GAC selection after leading the conference in batting average (.411) and hits (78) while ranking second in total bases (127). He was also selected to the All-GAC Tournament Team after hitting .571 (8-for-14) at the tournament with two doubles, three home runs and six runs batted in during three games played by the Bulldogs in the event. For the season, Pimentel led the Bulldogs in hits, batting average, doubles, RBI, slugging and on-base percentage while ranking second on the squad in home runs.
"I couldn't be happier for Alex," Head Coach Zack Saunders said. "He has earned every bit of his success and is a product of what happens when you truly work for something. His competitiveness and work ethic are as good as any player I have coached. We couldn't be more proud to watch him get what he deserves."
This is the first time Saunders has had a player receive All-American recognition during his head coaching tenure, dating back to 2012. Prior to Thursday, Michael Felton (2010) was the lone All-American on the list when he was named a third team selection by the NCBWA during SWOSU's time competing in the Lone Star Conference.
Pimentel ended the year ranked sixth in batting average and tied for fifth in total hits on SWOSU's single-season Top-10 list and is set to return to SWOSU next season for his senior year, where he will look to continue to leave his mark on the Bulldog Baseball program.
"Congratulations to Kirby on the tremendous season and the long list of accolades that have been awarded to him after his Junior year," said head Bronco coach Chris Cook. "Its been noted numerous times in his press clippings over the past month how hard of a worker he is, and while that is without a doubt true, the thing that stands out the most to me is just how good of a person and teammate he was here at NMMI and continues to be there at SWOSU. He has the "make-up" us coaches are always looking for in college level athletes. He is an excellent leader and I feel great that he will get to nurture and guide the newest Bronco Baseball players next year at SWOSU (Angel Colon & Luis Rivera). I feel blessed to have had an opportunity to Coach him here at the Institute and I look forward to seeing what he will accomplish down the road."
