ISU pitcher Hendren named preseason All-American by NCBWA

Posted on February 3, 2016

Jacob Hendren. (Photo courtesy GoRedbirds.com)

By ISU Sports Information

DALLAS – Illinois State’s Jacob Hendren has been named a Preseason All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), the organization announced Tuesday. Hendren was a second-team selection.

Hendren, previously named a Louisville Slugger Preseason Third-Team All-American, posted a 10-2 record and a 2.80 ERA in his first season wearing the Redbird uniform in 2015. 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.

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

Hendren went at least five innings in every start in 2015. 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, as he posted a nine-inning, complete-game shutout of Bradley. The junior southpaw struck out a career-high 11 in the win.

Hendren fielded his position well, too, playing the entire 2015 season without committing an error. In addition to All-MVC First-Team honors, he was also selected to the MVC All-Defensive Team. He was later named a Louisville Slugger Third-Team All-American, following the 2015 season.

Hendren and the Redbirds will begin their 2016 season Feb. 19 in Nashville, Tennessee, as Illinois State travels for a three-game series at Belmont.

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