Russellville, Ark. - Jack Hines was honored as the Region Player of the Year to lead a group of four Vikings that earned NCBWA All-Central Region honors, announced Wednesday by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Hines and Ashton Michek were named to the NCBWA All-Central Region First Team while Drey Dirksen and Caleb Saari earned second team honors.

The NCBWA All-Region teams are voted on by members of the organization's regional committees, composed of sports information directors and athletic communications specialists. Each First-Team member automatically advances to the All-America ballot, and teams will be announced in late May.

Jack Hines
Hines adds another award as he continues to perform at an elite level. Hines is batting .444 with 87 hits, 21 home runs, 87 RBI, 75 runs scored, 171 total bases and an .872 slugging percentage, all ranking in the top 10 nationally. He is the only player in the country in the top 10 of each category. Hines also touts a 1.356 OPS, with 16 steals and six triples. 

Ashton Michek
The NSIC Pitcher of the Year is 8-2 with a 2.81 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings while allowing a .226 opponent's batting average. He has also racked up a program record 10 pickoffs, breaking a record that he set in 2023.

Drey Dirksen
Another power source, Dirksen ranks ninth nationally with 20 home runs and 22nd with a .774 slugging percentage. He's hitting .317 and has a 1.239 OPS with 51 RBI and a team-high 13 doubles. He holds a .465 on-base percentage and is 36th in the country with 41 walks. 

Caleb Saari
An All-NSIC first teamer, Saari is 8-1 with a 2.97 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 78 in 66 1/3 innings. Over his last three starts he's been even more dominant, going 3-0 with 19 strikeouts in 17 innings while allowing just three runs and 16 hits.