For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 9, 2019
NSIC Elite 18 Award

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Wayne State's Aaron Ras was named the 2019 NSIC Elite 18 Award winner for baseball. Ras was presented the award prior to the Wildcats opening round game in the NSIC Baseball Tournament, which is taking place Thursday-Sunday at the MAC on Faber and Putz Fields in St. Cloud, Minnesota . Ras is the first Wildcat to earn the NSIC Elite 18 Award since its inception in 2016-17. 

Ras is a sophomore majoring in psychology and holds a 4.00 grade point average.  The Bancroft, Nebraska native has made 15 appearances this season including seven starts.  He holds a 4.91 ERA in 33.0 innings pitched, allowing 18 earned runs on 27 hits.  He owns a 3-3 record after striking out 46 batters and has held opposing batters to a .216 average. Ras was named Male Freshman Athlete of the Year last year after standout rookie season where he was 5-2 in 10 starts with 4.02 ERA.

As part of the NSIC 25th Anniversary celebration during the 2016-17 academic year, the NSIC Elite 18 Award was instituted to recognize the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the NSIC Championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The NSIC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NSIC’s 18 Championships.