Springfield, OH - Wittenberg baseball Head Coach Brian McGee announced the 2019 team awards over this past weekend during the 4th annual Family Day and Tiger Cup celebration. The Tigers have been handing out awards for the team MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and the Red Maurer Award since the 1980's. The winners of each award are listed below.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
MATT SHANOR (RHP)
Roswell, New Mexico
- Lead all freshmen pitchers in: APP, W, IP, and Ks.
- Was third on the team in total appearances with 11.
- Finished seventh on the team in innings pitched with 21.1
- Averaged 5.48 Ks per 9 IP.
- Gave up less than a hit per inning pitched for a .266 B/AVG.
- Fielded a perfect 1.000 on the season, with no errors.
- Top outing against conference opponent DePauw going 4.1 IP of shutout ball, only surrendering 2 Hits.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
ADAM MAYS (RHP)
Tucson, Arizona
- Lead the team in many major pitching statistical categories last season.
- This included an ERA of 3.18, total W's with 5, Saves with 4, and appearances with 17.
- In 34 innings of work in primarily our closer role, this individual boasted a miniscual .259 B/AVG., while only walking 9 and striking out 29.
- Not only was this individual at the forefront of our team pitching, but also the NCAC itself.
- He was third in saves, seventh in wins, and 10th in appearances.
- When this guy took the mound, we played like we were going to win.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
JACK HOLLINSHEAD (C)
Mayfield, OH
- Was one of the most feared hitters not only the conference but in all of d3.
- He was the heartbeat of our team. When he went, we went.
- This individual lead our team in batting AVG. by over 50pts with a .419 avg.
- He lead our team in many other statistical categories as well; such as Hits-52, doubles-11, RBI-38, TB-78, SLG-.629, and OB% .500.
- Not only did he clean up the books on our team but was tops in the league in many areas as well including 4th in AVG, 4th in OBP, 6th in Slugging, 9th in RBI, and 11th in HRs with 5 big flys.
- Not only was this individual integral to our batting lineup but was an impact player from the defensive position as well as a lockdown catcher.
- He shut down the running game by throwing out an impressive 65% of would-be base stealers.
- Only commiting 1 error all season fielding .994, and only allowing 1 passed ball all year he showed why he is one of the top catchers in division 3.
RED MAURER AWARD
ANDREW HAMMOND (C)
Granville, OH
The Red Maurer Award is presented each season to the player who exemplifies what it most means to be a Wittenberg Tiger and be a representative of the Wittenberg baseball program. Some of these qualities and characteristics include:
- Selflessness
- Loyalty
- Commitment
- Passion
- Team First Mentality
- High Character
- Coachable
- Hard-working
- Academic Progress
- Community Engagement
Coach McGee says:
"If a coach is allowed to have favorites on the team, this guy would have to be one of them. I have the utmost respect for this man. Andrew is selfless. He has more concern with the needs and wishes of others than his own. One thing all selfless people have in common is the great capacity to love others and express it, and that is Andrew to the core. Andrew inspires me to be selfless for my team because he is such a giver. Because of his selflessness, he is loved by his team, his coaches, and many others around our campus community. Because of his selflessness, he will become a great husband someday and father to his children. Andrew symbolizes the types of players coaches truly never forget. He carries the attitude of what I feel is what we strive for our Wittenberg baseball family to be like every day. He never complains, works hard, puts the team first, believes in our program, and is truly honored to where the flying W and call himself a Tiger. I am so very proud to have had this individual in my life for soon to be four years, will see him graduate, and then go on to become an outstanding member of whatever community he is part of."