Former Vidor standout pitcher Zach Hester, a right-hander for the LSU-Eunice baseball unit, was recently named as the National Junior College Athletic Association Div. II Pitcher of the Year.

Hester, who will play at NCAA Division I Samford University next season, was also given the same award by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

A team captain at LSU Eunice last season, Hester went 13-1 with a 2.34 ERA. His 133 strikeouts were the most in NJCAA Div. II.

Hester’s tremendous run aided LSU Eunice to a national championship last season. During the NJCAA World Series Tournament, Hester went 3-0 in four starts while allowing just four runs.