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Little Rock's Aaron Funk named Sun Belt Preseason Pitcher of the Year

Funk registered a 2.01 ERA in a Sun-Belt best 31.1 innings pitched last season, allowing just seven runs as opposed to 37 strikeouts, tied for third in the league
Credit: Mark Wagner

NEW ORLEANS — Little Rock senior pitcher Aaron Funk has been tabbed the Sun Belt Conference’s Preseason Pitcher of the Year, voted on by the league’s head coaches. He was also named to the preseason All-Sun Belt team, coming off a strong shortened 2020 season.

Funk registered a 2.01 ERA in a Sun-Belt best 31.1 innings pitched last season, allowing just seven runs as opposed to 37 strikeouts, tied for third in the league and 26th nationally. In his four Sunday starts, he registered a 2-0 record with a pair of complete games, one of which was the 17-strikeout performance against North Alabama on March 1, tying the NCAA single-game high for 2020 as well as the Sun Belt single-game record.

The Lawrence, Kansas native was a two-time Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week, earning the honor after his performance against North Alabama as well as following a complete game, nine-strikeout performance at Southern Miss on March 8. Named the Preseason Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year by Perfect Game, Funk enters the 2021 season as one of the league’s most experienced pitchers, pitching 110.1 career innings with a 4.89 ERA and 102 strikeouts.

Funk was joined on the preseason All-Conference pitching staff by Jordan Jackson of Georgia Southern and Conor Angel of Louisiana as the Trojans were picked fourth in the West Division preseason poll. Little Rock tallied 33 total points, trailing preseason favorite Texas State, UT Arlington and Louisiana.

Little Rock is scheduled to open the 2021 season this weekend in Houston, competing in a three game series at Reckling Park. The Trojans will face host Rice on Friday at 6 p.m., then will have neutral site games against Houston Baptist Saturday at noon, followed by Washington Sunday at noon.

Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Teams

C – Caleb Bartolero, Troy

1B – William Sullivan, Troy

2B – Luke Drumheller, Appalachian State

3B – Cooper Weiss, Coastal Carolina

SS – Drew Frederic, Troy

OF – Ethan Wilson, South Alabama

OF – Parker Chavers, Coastal Carolina

OF – Rigsby Mosley, Troy

DH – Elian Merejo, Georgia State

UTL – Andrew Beesley, ULM

SP – Aaron Funk, Little Rock

SP – Jordan Jackson, Georgia Southern

SP – Conor Angel, Louisiana

RP – Wyatt Divis, UT Arlington

RP – Lance Johnson, Troy

Preseason Player of the Year: Ethan Wilson, South Alabama

Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Aaron Funk, Little Rock

 

Preseason West Division Coaches’ Poll

1. Texas State (6) – 65 pts.

2. UT Arlington (4) 58 pts.

3. Louisiana (2) – 52 pts.

4. Little Rock – 33 pts.

5. ULM – 27 pts.

6. Arkansas State – 13 pts.

Preseason East Division Coaches’ Poll

1. Coastal Carolina (10) – 69 pts.

2. Georgia Southern (1) – 51 pts.

South Alabama (1) – 51 pts.

4. Troy – 44 pts.

5. Appalachian State – 21 pts.

6. Georgia State – 16 pts.

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