Coupeville Sports

Ben Etzell gets nasty. (Libby Auger photo)

Big Ben is still dealing heat.

He may have moved on from Coupeville High School several years back, but Ben Etzell continues to excel on the baseball diamond.

Now a junior at Saint John’s University, he was named a First-Team All-League pick Monday when Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference coaches announced their postseason honorees.

Etzell was joined on the first team by sophomore pitcher Jake Dickmeyer and freshman outfielder Wyatt Ulrich, who was also named the league’s MVP and Freshman of the Year.

Ulrich is the first frosh to win MVP since 1999, and the third Johnnie overall to bring home the top award.

Etzell, who’s playing for dad Mike’s alma mater, switched in 2017 from being primarily a starting pitcher to being St. John’s answer to Mariano Rivera.

He appeared in a team-high 18 games, going 3-1 with five saves and a 2.23 ERA.

His 28 strikeouts were third-best among St. John’s hurlers, but he produced K’s at a much-higher rate than any of his teammates.

Along with leading the squad in saves and appearances, Etzell had the team’s top ERA and lowest opponent batting average of any pitcher to throw 10 or more innings.

For his three-year collegiate career, he is 8-2 with seven saves and 76 strikeouts in 37 appearances.