SPRINGFIELD, Ohio-- Wittenberg baseball announced their 2017 team awards over the weekend. 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. Coach McGee and company continued the tradition into the new era of Tiger Baseball, as the winners of each award are listed below with insight on each player from Coach McGee. 

 

Most Valuable Player:  Matt Baker .348 BA/18 RBI/7 SB

Year:  SO

Pos:  OF

Hometown:  Tucson, AZ

 "Matt played an instrumental role on the team from both sides of the field.  Offensively Matthit in our leadoff spot and more times than not would start the game off by reaching base.  By doing so he enabled our team the opportunity to get on the board earlier.  Whether it was leading off a game or coming up with a clutch RBI later in the game, Matt was always one of the guys we had step up.  Defensively I believe he showcased himself as one the premiere defensive outfielders in the NCAC.  Matt would come up with big play after big play, and had a number of outfield assists.  His defensive ability was a major ability to keeping the opposing team from extra bases and scoring.  All this and he still managed to log some meaningfulinnings on the mound for us". 

 

Baker was in the top 3 of almost every major statistical category, lead the team in AB, R, H, SB, and was named honorable mention All-NCAC.  

 

Pitcher of the Year:  Brandon Beegle 13 APP/31.2 IP/2 SV/2.56 ERA

Year:  SO

Pos:  RHP

Hometown:  Springfield, OH

 "Brandon was one of our two go to guys out of the pen this year.  He did a remarkable job of locating pitches and keeping hitters off balance.  Anytime we were ahead late in the game, we felt Brandon would give us a great chance to close it out.  He is a fierce competitor with great knowledge of pitchability.  He understands what type of pitcher he is, stays within himself, and uses it to his advantage to get outs.   We would not have been in position to win the games we had without a pitcher like Brandon stepping up the way he did.  When he was on the mound the guys played different behind him."

 

Beegle lead the team in APP, ERA, and SV.

 

 

Rookie of the Year:  Patrick Kenny .407 BA/.648 SLG/.509 OBP/24 RBI/3 HR/13 2B

Year:  FR

Pos:  C

Hometown:  Centennial, CO

 "Patrick had a remarkable freshman campaign, and was runner up for Newcomer of the Year in the NCAC.  Patrick exploded offensively for us about a third of the way into the season. He had the injury bug early in the season and once he hit stride after that, things took off.  He had the ability to hit anywhere in our lineup.  He displayed great bat control, good approach at the plate, showed he could hit for average and for power, and ran the bases well.  He was an offensive juggernaut for our team and the catalyst for any rally we put together.  I believe Patrick was our biggest offensive threat this year and look forward to seeing him continue to get stronger and develop."

 

Kenny lead the team in AVG, OBP, SLUG, 2B, and HR, and was named to honorable mention All-NCAC. 

 

 

Red Maurer Award Recipient:  Brad Malott .315 BA/17 RBI/5 SB

Year:  SO

Pos:  UTL

Hometown:  Middletown, OH

 "Everyone always says you would love to have 30 of these guys on your team, and it is no different when your speaking about Brad Malott.  That is not just coming from the coaches, that is coming from the team.  The Red Maurer Award is voted on and picked by the players here at Witt.  It goes to the student athlete who most embodies what culture we strive to establish as members of the Wittenberg baseball program.  It was Brads actions on and off the field that lead him to receiving this award.  Brads discipline as a student athletes has found him great success on and off the field.  Academically he is able to carry a 3.9 GPA as a Chemistry major, not easily done.  Athletically Brad was in our everyday starting lineup and made significant playing contributions to our teams success.  It correlates right…He shows up on time, works hard, competes on the field, stays out of trouble off it, carries himself with high character, is supportive of the direction of the program, loyal to his teammates and coaches, has the willingness to do anything and play anywhere for his team, takes his academics seriously, and is an excellent member of our community."