Kansas University junior left-handed baseball pitcher Ben Krauth was named Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Year and was named to the All-Big 12 second team, the league announced Tuesday.

Teammate Connor McKay, a senior left fielder, was named to the All-Big 12 first team; sophomore catcher Michael Tinsley was named to the second team; and senior first baseman Blair Beck, senior second baseman Justin Protacio, sophomore closer Stephen Villines and freshman shortsop Matt McLaughlin earned honorable mention. McLaughlin also made the All-Big 12 freshman team.

“I was thrilled for Krauth when I found out he won Big 12 Newcomer of the Year,” KU coach Ritch Price said. “He is very deserving of this honor. If he can keep improving and pick up where he left off, he will help put us back into the playoffs. I can’t wait to be able to run him back out there next year.”

Krauth, who attended Diablo Valley College (Pleasant Hill, California) for two seasons before coming to Kansas, finished his first Big 12 season with a 3-3 record and 2.45 ERA in eight conference starts. In 55 innings pitched, the southpaw struck out 54 batters and held opponents to a .236 batting average. His 54 strikeouts in conference play ranked first, while his 2.45 ERA ranked seventh.