Eastern Kentucky University’s Will King has solidified himself as a top catcher in the ASUN Conference, as he was selected by league coaches to the 2023 ASUN Baseball Preseason All-Conference Team. The announcement was made from the league headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, showcasing King’s talent and hard work.
The 5-foot-9, 195-pound junior from New York, New York was a First Team All-ASUN Conference pick in 2022, with impressive stats to back up the accolade. King batted .313, hitting 19 doubles, 11 home runs, and driving in 60 runs, while scoring 31 runs of his own. His impressive hitting performance ranked him 82nd in the country in doubles, and earned him a spot on the ASUN All-Tournament Team.
King was also on the watch list for the prestigious Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, further solidifying his position as one of the top catchers in collegiate baseball. In the ASUN Tournament, King shined, hitting .667 with four runs, a double, a home run, three RBIs, and eight hits in 12 at bats, earning him the distinction of being the only catcher on the ASUN All-Tournament team.
The preseason poll of league head coaches has EKU finishing fifth in the 2023 season, with Liberty being the preseason favorite, followed by Kennesaw State, Florida Gulf Coast, and Lipscomb. However, EKU finished the 2022 season with a 38-20 record, earning them the title of ASUN Conference West Division champions and a tie for the best conference record in the ASUN. This was the most wins for a Colonel team since the 1990 squad won 42 games.
In December, Collegiate Baseball ranked EKU 46th in its Fabulous 50 NCAA Division I Pre-Season Poll presented by Big League Chew, making them the highest-ranked ASUN team in the top-50. The Colonels were even ranked higher than powerhouse programs such as South Carolina (47), Alabama (49), and BYU (50).
King and the Eastern Kentucky University team will open their 2023 season on February 17th against Alabama-Birmingham in Mobile, Alabama. With King leading the charge behind the plate, EKU has a strong chance to make some noise in the 2023 season. Keep an eye on this talented catcher as he continues to shine on the field.
