Cody Hyland, a 2006 graduate of Blue Earth Area High School, has been named the ‘Pitcher of the Year’ for the Luther College baseball team.

During the 2009 campaign, Hyland made 11 appearances, eight that were starts.

He pitched two complete games enroute to a record of 7-0. His ERA was 3.56, finished second on the pitching staff with 47 strikeouts and only walked 22 batters in 60 2/3 innings of work.

For his efforts, he was recognized by the Iowa Conference as a second-team all-conference performer.

Hyland also was named to the academic all-conference team.

To be a member of this team, a student-athlete must be at least a sophomore, be a contributing member of a varsity spring sport and have a grade-point-average of 3.50 or higher. Luther led the Iowa Conference with 43 student athletes, of the 189 named to spring academic all-conference team.

Under the direction of Head Coach Brian Gillogly, Luther posted an overall record of 29-13, ending the season ranked sixth in the NCAA III Central Region and 29th in the nation.

Luther also captured a share of the regular season Iowa Conference championship, its second in the past three years.

The Norse won the league title outright in 2007.

During his tenure, Luther has posted four 20-plus win seasons including a school record 31 during the 2007 campaign.

Hyland, a three-year letter winner, is the son of Mona and Kelly Hyland of Winnebago.

The Norse compete in 10 men’s and nine women’s intercollegiate sports.

As a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) since 1922, the men have won 147 conference championships. In 1982 the IIAC expanded its championship sponsorship to include women’s sports. During this time span, the women have won 57 team titles. Combined, Luther is the first school in the Iowa Conference to capture 204 league titles.