Hendren named Louisville Slugger All-American

Jacob Hendren
(Photo courtesy goredbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

NORMAL – Jacob Hendren has been named a Louisville Slugger All-American, Collegiate Baseball announced Thursday. Hendren was a third-team selection as a starting pitcher.

Previously named an All-Missouri Valley Conference First-Team selection and the league’s Newcomer of the Year, Hendren is the first Illinois State baseball player to receive All-America honors since 2013, when Dan Savas and Chris Razo earned the recognition.

A native of Le Roy, Illinois, Hendren posted a 10-2 record and a 2.80 ERA in his first season wearing the Redbird uniform. He matched Illinois State’s single-season wins record and broke the school’s single-season innings pitched mark, with 106 innings on the mound in 2015.

The junior left-handed pitcher led the Redbirds in wins, ERA and innings pitched. He also led the staff in starts (15), complete games (3) and strikeouts (99). He ranked among the top five in the MVC in all six categories.

Hendren went at least five innings in every start this season. Twelve of his 15 starts qualified as quality starts, as he pitched six or more innings while allowing three or fewer runs. He went eight or more innings five times.

Hendren’s best start of the season came on May 9, when he posted a nine-inning, complete-game shutout of Bradley. Hendren struck out a career-high 11 in the win.

The junior pitcher fielded his position well, too, playing the entire 2015 season without committing an error. In addition to all-conference honors, he was also selected to the league’s all-defensive team.

The Illinois State baseball team finished the 2015 season at 27-27 overall.

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