After setting two of the Dickinson State baseball team's major single-season records, junior third baseman Kevin Park has been named to the NAIA All-America team.
Park earned honorable mention honors for his season in which he batted .371, slugged .800 and set DSU records with 19 homers and 78 RBI.
"I feel good," Park said. "It looks like my hard work paid off."
At one point in the season, Park led the NAIA in RBI. He is currently 10th in the nation. While the NAIA World Series is still being played, Park will likely finish the season ranked first in the RBI per game category (1.592).
"I wasn't expecting it," Park said of his stellar season, "but I improved a lot workig in the cages, hitting off the tee. It paid off."
ADVERTISEMENT
Parks was a first-team all-Dakota Athletic Conference selection and earned the conference's third baseman Gold Glove award. The Blue Hawks finished the season with a 30-19 record.
"Kevin had a remarkable year for us both offensively and defensively," DSU head coach Duane Monlux posted on the DSU athletic website. "Kevin is a player that has all the tools. He hits for average, power, has good speed, plays solid defense and has plus arm strength. We are excited to have him back for his senior season."
Park was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. His family moved to Los Angeles before he was a teenager.
He is spending his summer playing for the Hamilton (Ohio) Joes of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.
He intended to play for the East L.A. Dodgers summer team.
"I got a call a week ago from one of the coaches up here," Park said. "He told me their third baseman was injured and they had a place for me to play. ... I made my decision right there. I was looking for a better summer league team."
