AUSTIN, Texas – University of Central Arkansas' Jesse Barker was named this week to the 2023 Academic All-America® baseball team as selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC).

Barker, a right handed pitcher from Benton, Ark., was a first-team Academic All-America selection who has a 4.0 grade-point average in general science. He was a first-team All-ASUN selection after going 7-4 with a 3.00 earned-run average, a league-high three complete games, an ASUN-best 109 strikeouts. He struck out 11 batters twice in conference play (vs. Stetson, vs. Bellarmine) and had 10 strikeouts against Austin Peay.

Barker was named the ASUN Baseball Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He graduated with his degree in the Spring of 2023 and has one year of eligibility remaining. 

The 35-man Academic All-America team had a combined 3.80 grade-point average, with the 12-man first team at 3.83. Barker was one of five first-teamers with a perfect 4.0 GPA.