Major, Vath, and Bihm Receive All American Honors

Kansas City, Missouri--- With the conclusion of the NAIA World Series and the Westmont Warriors being crowned the National Champions the NAIA compiled their list of All Americans. The NAIA released the First and Second Teams as well as Honorable Mentions Tuesday morning and the Pilots found representation on each team. "Very proud of and excited for these three with being honored as All-Americans," Head Coach Brad Neffendorf began, "It's an extremely tough recognition to achieve at any level. Ryan, Bobby, and Gage have impacted this program at an extremely high level both on and off the field and have helped elevate this program to a new level built off many years of prior success."

Ryan Major was the lone Pilot selected as a First Team All-American as an outfielder. For much of the season Major led the nation in stolen bases and was often in the top five for batting average. He ended the season with 45 stolen bases, the most in the NAIA, as well as was fifth in the nation with a .472 batting average. Major not only resided in the national eye, but also broke three records for Shreveport as he concluded his time as a Pilot. He now dawns the title of Single Season Record Holder for hits and batting average as well as being the Career Record holder for Batting Average. Major led the Pilots on the season in myriad categories including runs (64), hits (100), doubles (22), triples (9), RBIs (58), and more. He ended his career as a two time RRAC First Team Selection as well as a two time Gold Glove recipient for the RRAC and was the 2023 RRAC Player of the Year.

Bobby Vath was selected as a Second Team All-American for the Pilots. Vath was among the top in the NAIA on the mound as he garnered 12 wins. He led the Pilots having tossed 76.2 innings of work and striking out 81. He had a 2.93 ERA having made 15 appearances and starting 13 games. He was named to the RRAC First team for a second year in a row as well as receiving the title of the RRAC Pitcher of the Year.

Gage Bihm was the final Pilot to receive recognition from the NAIA as he was named as an Honorable mention. He played an integral part on the mound for the Pilots coming out of the bullpen and dug the Pilots out of many jams. Bihm threw 40 innings for the Pilots producing a 1.80 ERA with 59 strikeouts. He joined Vath and Major as an RRAC First Team Selection.

"All three would have helped any program in the country had they not chosen to be a part of this program and attend elsewhere.  To say I am proud is one thing, but to say thank you is another for their commitment to our standard and helping make everyone around them better on a daily basis," Neffendorf concluded.

To view the full list of NAIA All-American Selections click here.

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