Piche’ Named Top-30 Candidate for Senior CLASS Award
2014 Senior CLASS Award Baseball Candidates
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Jordan Piche’, Kansas baseballs’ senior closer and the 2013 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, was named one of 30 candidates to be considered for the 2014 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate baseball, as announced by the committee Wednesday morning.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. Piche’ is just the second Jayhawk to be considered for this award during the 2013-14 school year, as volleyball’s All-American Caroline Jarmoc was named a finalist for the award in the fall.
Piche’ is one of three Big 12 baseball players to appear on the list of 30. Joining him on the list from the conference are Ross Kivett (Kansas State) and Mark Payton (Texas).
A liberal arts and sciences major, Piche’ came to KU as a non-scholarship student-athlete after a two-year stint at Indian Hills Community College. His drive and work ethic not only allowed him to excel at baseball, but to land a roster spot at a Division I institution; something he thought was just a dream. His tremendous work ethic, both in the weight room and in conditioning, helped him to a Big 12-leading 12 saves and moved him to No. 3 all-time in KU history for saves, after just a little over a year with the team.
“Jordan represents our entire program on the field, in the classroom, and in our community in a first-class manner,” head coach Ritch Price said. “He is one of the best kids I’ve coached in my 37-year career.”
Piche’s leadership speaks for itself as he is just one of three transfer student-athletes to don the honor of being named a team captain in the past 12 seasons under Price.
In 2013, Piche’ had one of the best seasons a Kansas closer has had since 2006. In 64 and one-third innings of work, he posted a 6-4 record with a 1.68 ERA. His 12 saves led the Big 12 Conference en route to earning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year honors. His performance also landed him ABCA All-Midwest Second Team, All-Big 12 First Team and NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch List honors. In addition, he earned Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team honors and was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week three times throughout the course of the season.
AWARD PROCESS
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2014 College World Series in June.
ABOUT THE AWARD
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
UP NEXT
Piche’ and the Jayhawks are back on the field Wednesday, March 19, to close out a two-game set against New Mexico. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. (CST).
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