Sayers Collins, a right‑handed pitcher who starred for East Texas Baptist University from 2020 through 2024, was recently named to the D3baseball.com 50th Anniversary First Team, a testament to his lasting impact on Division III baseball.
Over five seasons Collins compiled a 40‑7 record with a 2.24 earned run average, striking out 416 batters in 317.2 innings across 60 appearances, including 43 starts. His 2024 season was especially dominant, finishing 12‑1 with a 1.23 ERA and earning both the ABCA and Perfect Game National Pitcher of the Year awards.
Collins’ accolades extend beyond raw numbers. He collected six All‑American honors from D3Baseball.com and the ABCA, secured four All‑Region Pitcher of the Year selections, and amassed a string of ASC Pitcher of the Year and All‑ASC team recognitions. The university notes that he holds ETBU records for Player of the Week awards and nine pitching categories.
ETBU’s recent achievements have been intertwined with Collins’ performances. The program captured its first ASC Tournament championship in 2023, followed by NCAA Regional victories in both 2023 and 2024, and hosted two Super Regional tournaments, winning one of them. During that span the team posted a cumulative 143 wins, a streak that aligns with Collins’ contributions on the mound.
A Legacy That Extends Beyond the Diamond
The recognition from D3baseball.com’s anniversary team not only celebrates Collins’ individual excellence but also shines a spotlight on the university’s rising profile in collegiate baseball. Officials at East Texas Baptist University and partners such as the American Baseball Coaches Association and the NCAA have praised the pitcher’s role in elevating the program’s national standing.
Collins’ story also reflects the broader ecosystem of collegiate baseball, from the grassroots efforts of the Society for American Baseball Research to the commercial reach of Perfect Game, both of which have documented his rise through monthly and weekly awards, including a February 2024 CBS‑19 Athlete of the Week nod.