RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Southwest Minnesota State University senior pitcher Kolby Kiser has been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) All-Central Region second team the organization announced on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Kiser, a right-hander from Sebeka, Minn., led the SMSU pitching staff in several categories including ERA (2.52), innings pitched (78 2/3) and strikeouts (78). Named All-NSIC first team and to the NSIC All-Defensive team last week, Kiser closed the season 7-3 in 13 appearances (12 starts) with six complete games. He struck out eight or more batters in five starts, including a school record 16 versus Walsh University on March 9 in Tucson, Ariz. In his last career start, he tossed a six-hit, nine-inning shutout with 11 strikeouts versus Minnesota Crookston in the NSIC tournament on May 8.
 
In the latest NCAA statistics (May 12), Kiser ranks second nationally in complete games, 41^st in strikeout-to-walk ratio and 53^rd in strikeouts.
 
Kiser's 78 strikeouts this spring rank second in team single-season history, while his 78 2/3 innings ranks third in the single-season record book. He closed his career ranking fourth all-time in program history in strikeouts per nine innings (9.7), fourth in strikeouts (206) and 10^th in both innings (190) and fewest walks allowed/9 innings (2.8).
 
Kiser, who was named NCBWA All-Region honorable mention last season, signed a professional contract with the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks of the independent American Association on Monday (May 12) and earned his first career victory on Tuesday afternoon with three shutout innings of relief.
 
SMSU finished the season 27-24 overall, earned a sixth-place finish in the NSIC and advanced to the NSIC tournament for the second straight season.

2024 NCBWA All-Central Region Team
 

Pitcher of the Year	Connor Wolf (Central Missouri)
Player of the Year	Jack Hines (Augustana)
Coach of the Year	Kyle Crookes (Central Missouri)
First Team
Catcher	Troy Shields (Oklahoma Baptist)
First Base	Dylan Bradford (Northwestern Oklahoma
Second Base	Isiah Lissade (Oklahoma Baptist)
Third Base	Dylan Kurahashi-Choy Foo (Pittsburg State)
Shortstop	Jack Hines (Augustana)
Outfield	Brennen van Breusegen (Central Missouri)
	Carter Young (Central Missouri)
	Camden Tanner (Arkansas-Monticello)
	Payton McHarg (Washburn)
Designated Hitter	Alex Schroeder (Oklahoma Baptist)
Utility	Cash Jay (Washburn)
Starting Pitcher	Cole Gayman (Missouri Southern)
	Connor Wolf (Central Missouri)
	Maddox Long (Harding)
	Ashton Michek (Augustana)
Relief Pitcher	Valek Cisneros (Central Oklahoma)
	Grant Shahan (Arkansas Tech)

 
 

Second Team
Catcher	Nixon Brannan (Pittsburg State)
	Drey Dirksen (Augustana)
First Base	Josh Patrick (Central Missouri)
Second Base	Tyson Fourkiller (Northeastern State)
Third Base	Cal James (St. Cloud State)
Shortstop	Henry Kusiak (Missouri Southern)
Outfield	Nick Thimsen (Concordia-St. Paul)
	Carter Thomas (Wayne State)
	Jackson Syring (Southwestern Oklahoma)
	Keaton Ranallo (Arkansas Tech)
Designated Hitter	Bennet McCollow (Concordia-St. Paul)
Utility	Drew Townsend (Missouri Southern)
Starting Pitcher	Caleb Saari (Augustana)
	Luke Tupy (St. Cloud State)
	Chase Oberle (Ouachita Baptist)
	Kolby Kiser (Southwest Minnesota)
Relief Pitcher	Mark Schommer (UMary)
	Will Horton (Arkansas Tech)