University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff junior right-handed pitcher Kenney Fabian was named First Team All-SWAC, the conference announced Tuesday.
Fabian finished the regular season with a 2.64 ERA, the best in the SWAC, and a 6-6 record. He had a 6-2 record in conference play.
The Choctaw, Okla., native allowed 24 earned runs, tied for the second fewest among qualifying SWAC pitchers, after pitching 81 2/3 innings, the third most in the league. Opposing teams hit .242 against him, the third lowest in the SWAC.
Fabian was UAPB’s ace this season, starting the opening game of each weekend series. The Golden Lions finished the regular season having won each of his final six starts. UAPB won seven of his nine starts in conference games, with both losses coming by one run each to a team finishing in the top three of the league standings.
He pitched three complete games this season, including two nine-inning games in his final two regular season starts. He also pitched all seven innings of a run-rule victory against Southern. He enters the SWAC tournament having pitched 25 consecutive scoreless innings.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Fabian was the only Golden Lion to receive All-SWAC recognition this year. He joins Jackson State starting pitcher Eric Elliot, who was named SWAC Pitcher of the Year, and Bethune-Cookman reliever Jean Carlos Zambrano, who was named SWAC Relief Pitcher of the Year, on the All-SWAC First Team.
Bethune-Cookman coach Jonathan Hernandez was named Coach of the Year after leading the Wildcats to the regular season SWAC championship. Andrey Martinez was named Co-Hitter of the Year.
Southern’s Cardell Thibodeaux was named both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Alabama State’s Juan Cruz was named Co-Hitter of the Year, and Florida A&M pitcher Garrett Workman was named Freshman of the Year.