Joel Barker Named NCBWA Second Team All-Central Region

SEARCY – Harding senior starting pitcher Joel Barker received National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Second Team All-Central Region Thursday.

A native of Russellville, Arkansas, Barker transferred to Harding from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for his senior season.

Barker started 14 games for the Bisons and went 9-2 with a 3.35 ERA. He struck out 45 in 83.1 innings and pitched 10 innings in Harding's 4-2 victory over Arkansas-Monticello at the Great American Conference Tournament. Barker's nine wins made him one of only five Harding pitchers ever to compile nine or more wins in a season.

Beginning with a 5-3 win over Oklahoma Baptist on Mar. 19, Barker reeled off wins in six consecutive starts, concluding with a 20-3 victory over Southwestern Oklahoma on April 22.

Barker finished the season ranked fourth in the GAC in ERA (3.35), second in hits per nine innings (7.02), second in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.75), first in WHIP (0.92) and second in walks per nine innings (1.30).

Barker is Harding's first starting pitcher to receive All-Central Region honors from the NCWBA since Collin Campbell was on the Second Team in 2014.

Harding's NCBWA All-Region honorees include: Adam Darby (2009), Jason Nappi (2011), Chase Presley (2011), Collin Campbell (2014), Zac Stewart (2016), Ryder Yakel (2019, 2021) and David Butterfield (2021).

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Players Mentioned

#32 Ryder Yakel: P; 6' 2"; Fifth Year; R/R

#4 David Butterfield: IF; 5' 11"; Fifth Year; R/R

#3 Joel Barker: P; 6' 0"; Senior; L/R

Players Mentioned

#32 Ryder Yakel
: 6' 2"; Fifth Year; R/R
: P

#4 David Butterfield
: 5' 11"; Fifth Year; R/R
: IF

#3 Joel Barker
: 6' 0"; Senior; L/R
: P

Players Mentioned

#32 Ryder Yakel

#4 David Butterfield

#3 Joel Barker

Players Mentioned

#32 Ryder Yakel

#4 David Butterfield

#3 Joel Barker