GREENVILLE, S.C. - The baseball coaches of the National Christian College Athletic Association's North Central Region have selected the 2025 Baseball All-Region teams. The University of Northwestern saw three players among the recipients, including Region Pitcher of the Year,
Nick Drinken (Randolph, Minn./Randolph).
Drinken was crowned Pitcher of the Year, in addition to First Team All-Region honors, after a terrific final season in purple. The graduate student, who is now a three-time All-Region selection and is making his second appearance on the First Team, finished the 2025 season with a 7-2 record, 3.77 ERA, 47 strikeouts and three complete games in 10 starts. Last week, he was also named First Team All-UMAC for the second time in his career.
Christian Raya (Moline, Ill./Moline) was chosen as a Second Team All-Region selection for the first time in his career after a breakout sophomore campaign. The utility player led UNW in home runs (5) and RBI (31) this season, and finished second on the team in batting average (.327). On the mound, Raya racked up a 3.78 ERA, two saves and 20 strikeouts out of the bullpen. Raya was joined on the Second Team by
Benji Bruce (Andover, Minn./Maranatha Christian), who concluded his Northwestern career with a tremendous season in left field. The graduate student hit .325 on the season with eight doubles, three home runs, two triples and 29 RBI. His .343 batting average in conference play led the team. Both Bruce and Raya were also First Team All-UMAC honorees this year as well.
2025 NCCAA North Central All-Region Team
First Team
Hudson Deal - Judson University (Player of the Year)
Nick Drinken (Randolph, Minn./Randolph) - University of Northwestern (Pitcher of the Year)
Shane Jones - Trinity Christian College
Taiki Kondo - Trinity Christian College
Alijah Acevedo - Judson University
Daley Thompson - Judson University
Caleb Alfaro - North Central University
Kevin Flores - Judson University
Charlie Culp - Hannibal LaGrange University
Blake Stepnowski - Judson University
Nate Stepnowski - Judson University
Matthew Johnston - Judson University
Second Team
Adam Walters - Bethel University
Carter Chanel - Trinity Christian College
Christian Raya (Moline, Ill./Moline) - University of Northwestern
Benji Bruce (Andover, Minn./Maranatha Christian) - University of Northwestern
Hector Mendoza - Trinity Christian College
Coach of the Year
Evan Reichel - Judson University
