15 May 2024 Hutcherson named to All-Region Team

ENID, Okla. — National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk sophomore pitcher Eli Hutcherson (Cabot) was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II All-Region 2 Team this week for his outstanding efforts on the field this season.

Hutcherson led the nation in games started (16), complete games (9) and innings pitched (94) this season, amassing a 9-5 record with a 2.78 earned run average for the Nighthawks. The sophomore hurler broke NPC’s career records in wins (10) and strikeouts (126), while leading the program to the postseason for the first time since 2022. 

Hutcherson’s final start of the season came in the NJCAA Region II Tournament, where he capped his historic Nighthawk career with a dominant performance against Western Oklahoma State College, allowing two runs over eight innings while striking out four. Hutcherson will continue his baseball career at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia.

“Eli had an incredible year for our program,” NPC Head Baseball Coach and Athletic Director Rich Thompson said. “In his time at National Park College, he has grown into an absolute workhorse of a pitcher with great control. Each time we gave the ball to him this season, he gave us everything he had, which usually ended in him throwing a complete game victory for the Nighthawks.”

After dropping a one-run decision to top-seeded Western Oklahoma State College in the opening round of the NJCAA Region II Tournament, NPC (25-26-1) rallied through the elimination bracket, defeating Northern Oklahoma College-Enid and University of Arkansas Rich Mountain before falling to Carl Albert State College in the final four.

For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk Athletics online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.