CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) office announced the 2021 Baseball All-Conference teams on Friday, with Corban University baseball ace Zack Simon being honored as the CCC Pitcher of the Year. The First-Team All-Conference right-hander joins Jacob Kopra (2014) as the second Warrior to ever earn the distinguished accolade.

In addition, rookie backstop Keenan O'Brien earned Gold Glove plaudits for his exceptional defense behind the plate in 2021.

For a complete look at the 2021 CCC Baseball All-Conference teams, CLICK HERE.

Simon has been absolutely dominant this spring, boasting the top ERA in the conference at 1.93. That is nearly a full run better than the next-best pitcher (Eric Chavarria, 2.73), and sits at No. 17 in the entire NAIA. Opposing batters have hit just .249 off him this spring, and he has only allowed 12 earned runs all season, the fewest in the CCC and the 12^th-best mark in the nation.

Simon touts a 6-2 overall record, and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven-consecutive starts, dating back to March 20. He strikes out nearly a batter per inning (0.89 K/IP), and has walked just nine batters all season, lending to his impressive 1.13 WHIP.

"A big congratulations to Simon," said head coach Derek Legg. "It couldn't have happened to a better kid. He works hard, cares about his teammates, and cares about Warrior baseball. He has made tremendous strides this year, and I am very excited to watch him continue to mature and grow on the mound. This is a very good pitching league, and for him to win this award is a huge, well-deserved honor."

A Gold-Glove honoree in his first collegiate season, O'Brien has shut down opposing baserunners throughout the spring campaign, showcasing his cannon of an arm from behind home plate on countless occasions. He has thrown out 15 of the 28 baserunners (54%) that have attempted to steal off him this spring, the highest mark of any catcher in the CCC. He ranks fourth in the CCC in putouts (at any position) with 183, and boasts a .980 fielding percentage.

"I'm very happy for Keenan," said Legg. "He has worked hard since day one, and he had made strides not only in his game, but in his confidence as well. I am excited to see him continue to develop."

The Warriors will be in action this weekend, competing at the CCC Tournament in Lewiston, Idaho. Corban will play Oregon Tech and No. 5 Lewis-Clark State College tomorrow, vying for the program's first-ever berth in the NAIA National Tournament.