Former Washington State shortstop, Lake City grad Kodie Kolden to transfer to Dallas Baptist

PULLMAN – Just over a week after entering the NCAA transfer portal, Kodie Kolden has found a new home.

The Post Falls product and four-year starter for Washington State’s baseball team announced Monday that he’s heading to Dallas Baptist.

“I want to thank Washington State University for the past four years,” Kolden tweeted. “I will always cherish my time as a Coug. With that being said, I will be transferring to Dallas Baptist University to continue my baseball career. Thank you to all the people who have helped me through this process.”

A graduate of Lake City High, Kolden locked up a starting job at third base with the Cougars as a true freshman in 2019. He shifted to shortstop ahead of his sophomore year and made 104 starts there over his final three seasons with WSU. He was named a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award – given to the nation’s top shortstop – in 2021.

Kolden hit .269 (154 for 572) with WSU, totaling eight home runs, 85 RBIs, 17 doubles, three triples and 90 runs scored. He reached base at a .340 clip and slugged .351.

WSU went 27-26 and 12-18 in conference play last season, falling one Pac-12 win short of qualifying for the league’s postseason tournament. Dallas Baptist reached the NCAA Tournament last year and was eliminated with two losses at the Austin (Texas) Regional. The Patriots compiled a 34-24-1 overall record and went 11-9-1 against Missouri Valley Conference opponents. Dallas Baptist will move to the Conference USA ahead of the 2022-23 academic year.