SEARCY – Harding junior Ryder Yakel received 2019 National College Baseball Writers' Association honorable mention All-Central Region honors as a relief pitcher Thursday.

Yakel, a native of Lakin, Kansas and transfer from Garden City Community College, had a 7-2 record, six saves, a 1.48 ERA and helped lead Harding to the Great American Conference Tournament championship game. He previously earned first-team All-GAC, GAC Newcomer of the Year and D2CCA second-team All-Central Region.

Yakel had 58 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings. He did not allow an earned run at home all season.

Yakel is Harding's...