CORVALLIS, ORE. ? Kansas University relief pitcher Don Czyz was named to the Louisville Slugger All-American first team Friday as announced by Collegiate Baseball magazine.
A senior from Overland Park, Czyz leads the NCAA with 19 saves and has a 6-0 record with a 1.62 earned-run average. The right-hander has struck out 59 batters while allowing 14 walks in 61 innings this season.
Czyz is KU’s first baseball All-American since second baseman Josh Kliner and outfielder Isaac Byrd were honored in 1996 and the first KU pitcher ever to be named first team All-American.
Czyz has already been named to the 2006 College Baseball Foundation All-America Team and as one of five finalists for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, given to college baseball’s top closer.