WVU Baseball: Mountaineer sophomore named All-American
By Phil Poling
![June 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Patrons lean on the railing while watching the game at the Annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity at Nationals Park. Mandatory credit: Henry Taylor-USA TODAY June 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Patrons lean on the railing while watching the game at the Annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity at Nationals Park. Mandatory credit: Henry Taylor-USA TODAY](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/54e4478fbb6498da90f9aea7267300724b5b7fa44ed12917398b2936c87d9840.jpg)
It’s been an exciting week for the WVU baseball program. Two players were chosen in the MLB Draft, while another earned All-America honors.
Must Read: Two 'Eers chosen in MLB Draft
West Virginia University’s Braden Zarbnisky earned third-team All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). The sophomore pitcher/designated hitter was one of two utility players on the third team.
Zarbnisky, who wears the number 26, led the Mountaineers with a .336 batting average and a .417 on-base percentage.
More from Hail WV
- Every West Virginia potential March Madness venue in 2023 NCAA Tournament
- West Virginia March Madness Schedule: When do the Mountaineers play next? (Updated March 12)
- West Virginia vs. Kansas prediction and odds for Saturday, February 25 (Take Mountaineers as underdogs)
- WVU Football Recruiting: Mountaineers make Malik Hartford’s short list
- Previewing WVU basketball against Oklahoma State
The sophomore controlled things from the mound as well, sporting a team-best 2.75 ERA in 23 appearances. Without starting any games, Zarbnisky went 6-2 and recorded six saves for head coach Randy Mazey. His 39.1 innings pitched were 7th-most on the ‘Eers, and he only surrendered 12 earned runs while striking out 46.
Zarbnisky and the Mountaineers rallied to a 36-26 record in 2017 and were within two games of a Super Regional. Their Regional appearance was the first for WVU since 1996. With Mazey’s track record, Zarbnisky’s potential and a little bit of Morgantown magic, next season could be a special one in Almost Heaven.