2023 NCBWA South Central All-Region Teams

GOLDEN, Colo. – Colorado School of Mines Baseball starting pitcher Kevin Zapanta was named First-Team All-Region on Wednesday afternoon by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association (NCBWA).
 
Zapanta was one of four starting pitchers on the top squad in the South Central Region as he earned the first all-region nod of his career. Overall, 34 total athletes across the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and Lone Star Conference (LSC) were recognized as NCBWA All-Region with 17 on the first team and 17 more on the second team. Adam Becker of West Texas A&M was voted NCBWA South Central Region Player of the Year. Kade Bragg from Angelo State claimed honors as the top pitcher in the region. Colorado Mesa's Chris Hanks was tabbed NCBWA South Central Region Coach of the Year.
 
The honor for Zapanta adds to an impressive 2023 resume. Earlier this month, the Denver, Colo., native was voted RMAC Pitcher of the Year and First-Team All-RMAC. Additional awards this season included College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, RMAC First-Team All-Academic, NCBWA Regional Pitcher of the Week, and RMAC Pitcher of the Week. The two-time graduate of Colorado School of Mines finished his final season touting a league-leading 3.72 ERA with a 3-4 record featuring two complete games and one combined shutout. Zapanta struck out 85 batters across 67.2 innings of work while only walking 19 in 12 starts. His single-season strikeouts rank #4 in Mines' history. The Overland High School graduate also finished his career ranked #5 in all-time strikeouts with 193 across four seasons.
 
The 2023 NCBWA South Central All-Region teams were voted on by a committee of eight sports information directors with four representing the RMAC and four others representing the LSC. MSU Denver led all teams with seven selections. Colorado Mesa was right behind with six players named all-region.
 
Fans can follow Mines baseball on Twitter at @OrediggersBSB. They can also follow all of Mines Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @MinesAthletics, and online at www.minesathletics.com.