DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University redshirt sophomore
Ryan Miller (Blandon, Pa.) has earned national acclaim by another outlet as he was recognized as the Large School Division Pitcher of the Year by Black College Nines.
Miller was also named to the Elites First Team, and teammate
Austin Vernon (Raleigh, N.C.) was named to the Second Team.
Miller was recently named as a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), which is awarded to the top player in college baseball. He also became the first Eagle to be named MEAC Pitcher of the Year in 2021, and posted a MEAC-best 2.24 ERA, which is also a new regular-season record for starters at NCCU.
Miller led the league in innings pitched (68.1), and held opponents to a MEAC second-lowest .195 batting average. He was a four-time MEAC Pitcher of the Week winner, including in back-to-back weeks when he threw consecutive complete game shutouts against Norfolk State on Feb. 27 and March 6. He also posted a run of 23 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run during his first four starts of the year.
Vernon was named First Team All-MEAC and set a new NCCU modern era season record with 109 strikeouts, becoming the first Eagle to eclipse the 100 strikeout plateau. He also made history by throwing the first no-hitter at NCCU in the modern era on May 7 against Delaware State, and one week later he tied the NCCU single-game record with 13 strikeouts against Florida A&M on May 13.
Vernon finished the regular season ranked sixth in the nation in strikeouts-per-nine innings at 14.29, and ranked 19th in total strikeouts. He also stood second in the league with a 2.86 ERA.
NCCU sports information assistant and broadcast media coordinator
Jonathan Duren was also recognized for a Special Service Award as Sports Information Director of the Year in the Large School Division.
To view the entire list, visit BlackCollegeNines.com.
To find more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
