KANSAS CITY, Mo. --- Biola junior relief pitcher
Billy Vopinek has been named an NAIA First-Team All-American as selected by the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association and announced by the national office on Thursday.
Vopinek, a junior from Bellflower, Calif., was nearly unstoppable as the Eagles' closer this season. He shattered the school record with 18 saves in 21 opportunities and allowed just three earned runs in 35-1/3 innings pitched for a microscopic 0.76 ERA. During the course of the season, Vopinek failed to allow a run over a span of 23 innings and did not suffer a loss until the final game of the regular season.
In addition to his pitching prowess, Vopinek was also among the team's best hitters in 2009, batting .320 with three home runs and 20 RBIs. He drew a team-high 37 walks which allowed him to lead Biola with a .472 on base percentage.
Vopinek was one of just two GSAC players on the first-team along with Azusa Pacific junior infielder Brice Cutspec, and one of six total conference athletes to earn All-America recognition.
Biola finished the season with a record of 35-24, reaching the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.