MAC Press Launch
The Ball State baseball workforce had student-athletes take dwelling MAC Pitcher of the Yr, Freshman Pitcher of the Yr and Defensive Participant of the Yr honors, and 5 complete landed on All-Convention groups, the Mid-American Convention workplace introduced Tuesday morning.
Junior left-handed pitcher Merritt Beeker was named the Pitcher of the Yr in a vote of the league’s head coaches after main the league in strikeouts (116) and tying for the lead with eight wins (8-3 general document). Beeker posted a 4.50 ERA in 72.0 innings on the 12 months whereas sporting a 7-0 document, 3.12 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 57.2 innings in opposition to MAC opponents. The lefty ranks No. 8 in NCAA Division I in complete strikeouts and No. 7 in strikeouts per 9 innings pitched (14.5).
Senior shortstop Michael Hallquist bought a First Crew All-Convention recognition along with a Defensive Participant of the Yr honor. Hallquist tied for the league lead with 20 dwelling runs, hitting a MAC-best 14 in convention play, whereas additionally pacing the MAC and rating No. 33 nationally with 153 complete bases. The switch infielder started the 12 months because the workforce’s beginning third baseman earlier than shifting over to shortstop in mid-March and posted a .971 fielding share (.977 in MAC play) whereas making a number of spotlight reel performs all through the season.
Left-handed pitcher Keegan Johnson was voted the Freshman Pitcher of the Yr and First Crew All-Convention after working an 8-2 document with a 4.68 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched through the common season. The lefty went 6-1 in opposition to MAC groups and allowed solely a .228 batting common in opposition to them to complete in a tie for first amongst league beginning pitchers. Johnson’s 11.6 strikeouts per 9 innings ranks No. 41 nationally.
Sophomore first baseman Blake Bevis acquired Second Crew All-Convention honors because of hitting .311 with 15 doubles, 12 homers, 53 RBI and 46 runs scored on the season. The correct-handed slugger completed tenth within the MAC in dwelling runs, eighth in RBI and twelfth in runs scored as one of many league’s best batters. Bevis led MAC first basemen in homers and RBI in his second 12 months at Ball State.
Junior catcher Hunter Dobbins additionally bought a Second Crew All-Convention recognition after hitting .292 with 17 doubles, 18 dwelling runs and 52 RBI. The homer tally ranked fifth within the league and No. 62 in NCAA Division I, whereas he completed in a tie for second in doubles. Dobbins’ .676 slugging share was fourth-best within the MAC, and he led convention backstops in slugging, doubles and sac flies, whereas his 12 dwelling runs in opposition to convention pitching was six greater than the subsequent closest catcher.
“It’s all the time particular to have our gamers acknowledged for his or her nice effort on the sector,” head coach Wealthy Maloney stated. “There have been so many excellent gamers all through the league that deserved All-Convention honors and several other that have been left off because of the nice competitors at every place.
“To have three of our boys win specialty awards (Beeker, Hallquist and Johnson) is wonderful! All three of these boys have been named to the All-MAC First Crew. We additionally had Dobbins and Bevis obtain Second Crew All-MAC recognition. Hats off to those excellent gamers on this excellent achievement.”
The Cardinals open the MAC Event at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday in opposition to Toledo at Crushers Stadium in Avon, Ohio.
2024 MAC Baseball Postseason Awards & All-MAC Groups
Coach of the Yr: Kyle Hallock, Bowling Inexperienced
Participant of the Yr: Nathan Archer, Bowling Inexperienced
Pitcher of the Yr: Merritt Beeker, Ball State
Freshman Participant of the Yr: Garrett Wright, Bowling Inexperienced
Freshman Pitcher of the Yr: Keegan Johnson, Ball State
Defensive Participant of the Yr: Michael Hallquist, Ball State
All-MAC First Crew
C – Garrett Wright, Bowling Inexperienced
1B – Cade Sullivan, Western Michigan
2B – Sam Seidel, Bowling Inexperienced
SS – Michael Hallquist, Ball State
3B – Ryland Zaborowski, Miami
OF – Nathan Archer, Bowling Inexperienced
OF – Zach MacDonald, Miami
OF – Garret Pike, Toledo
OF – Josh Johnson, Kent State
DH – CJ Richmond, Western Michigan
SP – Jared Schaeffer, Akron
SP – Merritt Beeker, Ball State
SP – Keegan Johnson, Ball State
SP – Calvin Bickerstaff, Kent State
SP – Grant Umberger, Toledo
RP – Carson Byers, Miami
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All-MAC Second Crew
C – Hunter Dobbins, Ball State
C – Collin Summerhill, Northern Illinois
1B – Blake Bevis, Ball State
2B – Eric Erato, Northern Illinois
SS – Tyler Ross, Bowling Inexperienced
3B – Leighton Banjoff, Bowling Inexperienced
OF – Jack Krause, Bowling Inexperienced
OF – Jacob Donahue, Central Michigan
OF – Gideon Antle, Ohio
OF – Dylan Nevar, Western Michigan
DH – DJ Newman, Bowling Inexperienced
SP – Nic Good, Bowling Inexperienced
SP – Bobby Jones, Japanese Michigan
SP – Adam Brouwer, Northern Illinois
SP – Nolan Vlcek, Western Michigan
RP – Jacob Tabor, Toledo
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All-Defensive Crew
C – Garrett Wright, Bowling Inexperienced
1B – Cade Sullivan, Western Michigan
2B – Eric Erato, Northern Illinois
SS – Michael Hallquist, Ball State // JR Nelson, Ohio
3B – Ely Staurt, Central Michigan
OF – Nathan Archer, Bowling Inexperienced
OF – Zach MacDonald, Miami
OF – Garret Pike, Toledo
P – Nic Good, Bowling Inexperienced
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