Decker, a junior right-handed pitcher from Dover, Pennsylvania, was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® Second Team after being the top pitcher selected to the Academic All-District IV First Team to earn a spot on the national ballot. Only two pitchers are selected to each of the three Academic All-America® Teams and Decker was the first one chosen to the Second Team.

The former Dover High School standout posted an 8-6 record on the mound for the Cougars with a 3.28 ERA - the lowest of any of the pitchers in the team’s starting rotation. In 85 innings of work, he struck out 48 batters and issued just 14 walks. He also finished with 11 complete games in 14 starts to finish just one complete game shy of the school record of 12 set by NAIA National Player of the Year, Andy Heimbach, in 1999. For his efforts, Decker was named to the American Mideast Conference and National Christian College Athletic Association East Region Honorable Mention lists.

In the classroom, Decker has posted a perfect 4.00 grade point average as a double major in Criminal Justice and Intercultural Studies. He has been named to the MVNU Dean’s List each semester and was already selected to the NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete Teams this year. He was also an Academic All-District IV Second Team pick as a sophomore in 2007.

The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® College Division Teams are selected by CoSIDA members. Eligible student-athletes are nominated by their school’s sports information director and must have at least a 3.20 grade point average and be at least in their sophomore year. Each of the eight CoSIDA districts selects an All-District First Team, which is then forwarded on for consideration at the national level. The College Division is made up of all NCAA Division II, III, and NAIA schools.

MVNU finished the season with a 39-21 overall record as the Cougars claimed their sixth NCCAA national title. The team also advanced to the championship game of the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the ninth straight year.