Avon High School and Oberlin College graduate Phil Brua, who accepted a free agent contract from the Toronto Blue Jays, has been assigned to the Vancouver Canadians, a Class A affiliate that plays in the Northwest League.

The Canadians have their home opener this Friday against the Yakima Bears.

Brua left Oberlin as the all-time leader in saves (11) and appearances (65) and is second all-time in wins (15). The sidearm specialist held opposing hitters to just a .213 batting average while averaging over six strikeouts per nine innings during his senior season.Brua’s chances of signing a professional contract came to light last summer while playing in the Prospect League for the Lorain County Ironmen.

In four years at Oberlin College, Brua posted a record of 15-15 in 65 total appearances, while making 17 starts. He threw 187 2/3 innings and struck out 143 batters. He leaves as the all-time saves leader with 11.

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Amherst graduate Ryan Rua, who was drafted 534th overall in the 17th round by the Texas Rangers, was assigned to the Spokane Indians, of the Northwest League.

Rua and his Spokane team open up the season on Friday in its home opener against Salem-Keizer.

Rua, who was ranked as the fourth-highest draftable prospect in Division II by Baseball America before the season, batted an even .400 for the second-straight season and set Lake Erie single-season records with 68 hits and 19 stolen bases. He also led the team with 44 RBIs, 42 runs scored and 16 doubles while tying for the team lead with five home runs. Rua slugged a team-high .594 and had a Storm-best 1.031 OPS, starting all 47 games.

For his career, Rua has a .374 average with 27 home runs and 131 RBIs. He finishes with 276 hits and 117 runs while stealing 33 bases. He is the school’s career leader in slugging, homers, RBIs, total bases and stolen base percentage.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Norwalk graduate Clay Duncan was named to the All-Mid American Conference second team as a first baseman.

Duncan finished the season batting .301 overall with 10 extra-base hits and led the Falcons with 30 RBIs. Perhaps most impressive is that through 47 regular season games, Duncan was flawless in the field by not committing an error in 455 attempts. In conference play, the senior tri-captain batted .333, had a share for the team-lead in doubles (6), again led the team in RBI (20) and had slugging and on-base percentages above .400.

Last year, he played six different positions, playing in 43 games, including 33 starts. He went 6-for-12 with two doubles and two RBIs against Akron in a three-game series. Between Feb. 28 and March 27, he had hits in eight of 11 games played (10-for-31). He was given the Mr. Versatility Award and the Aaron Lawnizak Mr, Hustle Award by the team.

As a sophomore, he played in 24 games and started 10. He recorded his first career hit against Eastern Kentucky on March 8 on a two-out, two-RBI single. He also put together a four-game hitting streak between March 24 and April 4.

His freshman season, he played 21 games with 10 starts and had three multi-hit games after being a four-year letterwinner at Norwalk, where led the Truckers to the Northern Ohio League title his junior season. He was the team Most Valuable Player twice and was the Most Valuable Pitcher three times. He also lettered in football and basketball.

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Former Elyria standout Tess Sito is taking her talents to the south.

After two stellar seasons on the diamond at Cleveland State University, Sito officially transferred to the University of Georgia, on Friday, to continue her softball career.

Sito is coming off her sophomore season, where she was named Horizon League Softball Player of the Year for the second year in a row. She made 36 starts and 44 appearances, and led the league in strikeouts (293), wins (24) and innings pitched (272 2/3). At the plate, Sito batted .369 and led the Vikings in hits (58), doubles (11), stolen bases (18) and runs scored. She was the second player in conference history to win the honor as a freshman and sophomore.

Despite her success at Cleveland State, Sito said she was ready to move on.

"I wanted to play at a bigger university," Sito said. "There were a number of schools that I was in contact with, but when Georgia called I was really excited. They really wanted me, they must have did a lot of research on me.

"Once I got down there and talked to the coaches and took the tour I fell in love with the place. When I saw the field and how big it was and all the seats I knew this was for me."

Other schools Sito was in contact with were Auburn, Michigan, Arkansas, Memphis, Virginia and Nebraska.

Sito said there were other factors that played into her decision. A Communication major at CSU, Sito said she was impressed with the Georgia’s Broadcast Journalism program. She also will be close to her sister, Ashley, who lives in Miltown, which is 65 miles from the campus in Athens.

"It’s nice knowing she’s that close," said Sito about her sister. "They’ll be able to come to a lot of the games. Also when my family comes down they will be able to stay there."

Sito will join a Bulldogs team that lost in the Athens Super Regional in the Women’s College World Series. The Bulldogs ended the season with 51-14 record. Sito added she is eager to have a chance to play in the Women’s College World Series.

"It definitely played a role in coming here," Sito said. "After I saw them on TV, I knew I had to take this opportunity.

"We had to win the Horizon League just to get in to the tournament, where they (SEC) had seven schools there this year."

Sito knows the competition will be tougher in the Southeastern Conference, but said she welcomes the challenge.

"Facing top competition everyday is going to be the biggest adjustment," Sito said. "I’ll have to adjust to the pitching and hitting at first, but I know it’s going to be an amazing experience."

Sito added she appreciated everything her coaches and players did for her while she was at Cleveland State.

"I loved my time there," Sito said. "My coaches were great. It was just time for me to start a new chapter in my life."

During her career at Elyria, Sito was 75-9 with an incredible 814 strikeouts in 531 innings. She holds the career and single-season record for strikeouts. Equally as tough at the plate, she batted .470 with 107 RBIs and 143 runs scored. She stole 46 bases in 48 attempts.

Courtesy of Anthony Rios

Just hours after inking a deal with the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League, Avon graduate and Oberlin College graduate Phil Brua accepted a free agent contract offer from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Brua will report to the Blue Jays extended spring training in Dunedin, Florida, to be evaluated by the club before being assigned to one of its minor league affiliates.

"It’s great to see a guy get rewarded for all of the hard work he has put in over the last four years," Oberlin head coach Adrian Abrahamowicz said. "Phil is a great kid that has the drive and passion to succeed at the next level."

Brua left Oberlin as the all-time leader in saves (11) and appearances (65) and is second all-time in wins (15). The sidearm specialist held opposing hitters to just a .213 batting average while averaging over six strikeouts per nine innings during his senior season.

Brua’s chances of signing a professional contract came to light last summer while playing in the Prospect League for the Lorain County Ironmen. Brua shut down hitters in the Prospect League, which features mainly Division I players with high pro potential. The two-time All-NCAC selection led the league in appearances (30), tied for third in saves (10) and posted the third-best ERA (1.46) last summer. In 49 1/3 innings of work he recorded 30 strikeouts while walking just 10. His opposition batting average of .180 was also second best in the league. He allowed just eight earned runs and surrendered just 30 hits while finishing with a record of 4-2.

During his junior season for the Yeomen, Brua was a First-Team All-NCAC selection and Third-Team American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-Midwest Region selection. In that season he helped lead the Yeomen to a school-record win total (18) while finishing third in the league with .278 ERA. He set the school record for saves (6) and tied the school record for wins by going 6-3. In that season he led the NCAC with a .227 batting average against. He struck out 50 and averaged over eight strikeouts per nine innings.

In four years at Oberlin College, Brua posted a record of 15-15 in 65 total appearances, while making 17 starts. He threw 187 2/3 innings and struck out 143 batters. He leaves as the all-time saves leader with 11.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Admiral King graduate Jillian Van Wagnen was named to the Softball Academic All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) Team on Wednesday.

Van Wagnen, who was also a MAC All-Tournament Team selection in 2011, has been the most effective base stealer on the team this season with 22 in 24 attempts. She started all 48 games she played in and totaled 27 hits with one triple on the year. It was the first time Van Wagnen made the Academic All-MAC Team in her career.

To be nominated, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award. Outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments from the current season only are considered.

Ohio wrapped up the 2011 season with a run to the MAC Tournament championship game and finished the season with an overall record of 26-23. The Bobcats won the MAC East Title during the regular season.

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Amherst graduate Ryan Rua was drafted 534th overall in the 17th round by the Texas Rangers on Tuesday.

Rua was ranked as the fourth-highest draftable prospect in Division II by Baseball America before the season and had another stellar season at the plate.

He batted an even .400 for the second-straight season and set Lake Erie single-season records with 68 hits and 19 stolen bases. He also led the team with 44 RBIs, 42 runs scored and 16 doubles while tying for the team lead with five home runs. Rua slugged a team-high .594 and had a Storm-best 1.031 OPS, starting all 47 games.

In addition to his performance at the plate, Rua also contributed on the mound, going 1-0 with two saves and a 3.18 ERA in six relief appearances.

For his career, Rua has a .374 average with 27 home runs and 131 RBIs. He finishes with 276 hits and 117 runs while stealing 33 bases. He is the school’s career leader in slugging, homers, RBIs, total bases and stolen base percentage.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Perkins graduate Kyle Hallock is heading to the pros.

Hallock was chosen 310th in the 10th round by the Houston Astros on Tuesday.

Hallock garnered Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I Third Team All-America selection as members of the No. 24 ranked Kent State. Hallock was the 27th pick of the 49th round by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2010 MLB Draft, but chose to go back to college.

"After last year (drafted by the Phillies) I felt going back to college was a better fit," Hallock said. "I wanted to further my education and raise my stock for this year."

Hallock posted a MAC-best 10 wins, which tied him for 17th in the nation and second on the school’s single-season records list. Hallock struck out 83 while allowing just 21 earned runs over 99 innings and 15 starts and his ERA of 1.91 ranked 30th in the country.

"It feels great," Hallock said. "I look back at all the travel baseball I played growing up. This has been a vision, dream of mine since I was 8 years old and started playing competitive travel baseball."

He ranks second in school history with 232 career strikeouts, third with 289 2/3 innings pitched and tied for seventh with 22 career victories.

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Western Reserve graduate Andrew Chafin has been selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 43rd pick in the compensatory first round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Chafin becomes Kent State’s 76th draft selection and first ever selected by the Diamondbacks. He is the 20th Kent State pitcher who has been mentored by associate head coach/pitching coach Mike Birkbeck to be drafted.

Chafin, who just helped lead the No. 24-ranked Golden Flashes to Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament crowns and a trip to the 2011 NCAA Championship Austin Regional Final, entered the collegiate postseason ranked 29th in the nation in ERA and tied for 39th in strikeouts. Chafin’s efforts helped the Flashes rank sixth in the country in team ERA in 2011.

He finished the 2011 campaign with an 8-1 record, posting 105 strikeouts over 89 innings. Chafin’s 2011 strikeout total ranks as the third-most in a single season in the Kent State record books. He finished his two-year collegiate career with a 12-2 record to go with a 1.80 ERA and 160 strikeouts.

Chafin concluded his Kent State career by outdueling Texas right-handed top-15 draft pick Taylor Jungmann last Saturday in the winner’s bracket final of the Austin Regional. He fanned eight over 8 2/3 innings to power the Golden Flashes to a 7-5 triumph over the No. 5-ranked Longhorns on Texas’s home field.

Chafin constructed a scoreless complete-game masterpiece in Kent State’s MAC Tournament semifinal win over Eastern Michigan, striking out six and walking two to improve to 7-1 on the season. The First Team All-MAC selection sat down the side in three innings.

Chafin hurled a complete-game four-hit shutout and tallied a career-high 15 strikeouts with no walks as Kent State won its MAC opening game and 2011 home opener, 1-0, over Toledo on March 25. He hurled 113 pitches with a whopping 88 going for strikes, sat down the side in six innings — including striking out six straight between the seventh and ninth frames — in addition to issuing 22 first-pitch strikes. He was awarded MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week for the performance. Chafin tallied 13 strikeouts, allowed one earned run on seven hits in 8 2/3 innings of work and did not issue a walk as Kent State defeated Eastern Michigan, 4-2, on April 8. He totaled seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball for the Golden Flashes and had a no-hitter going through five frames at then-No. 23 Louisville on March 4 in his second start of the season, garnering MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week accolades for his effort.

Chafin’s solid sophomore campaign came after he rebounded from an elbow injury that sidelined him for the 2010 season. As a freshman in 2009, Chafin was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American Team after becaming only the third Kent State player and the first since 1992 to be named MAC Freshman of the Year.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Strongsville graduate Jason Lash capped off an outstanding four-year career at Heidelberg University, earning All-American third team honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA).

Lash is picking up his second All-American honor of his career. Last year, he was named to the ABCA All-American Second Team. In his final season at shortstop Lash was named to the Mideast Region and the Ohio Athletic Conference First Teams. It was the fourth-straight year he was named to the OAC First Team and third time he landed on the Mideast Region First Team. His Golden Glove honor is the first of his career.

For his efforts in the classroom he was named to the Capital One Academic All-District IV First Team and the Academic All-OAC First Team. Lash was just the second player at to earn first team academic recognition from the conference and the first to earn academic all-district honors on three occasions.

At the plate, Lash was second on the team with a .369 batting average. He led the way with 20 doubles and was third with 66 hits and 46 runs scored. Defensively he boasted a .961 fielding percentage and helped to turn 34 double plays.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

AVON — Keystone graduates Jessica Burt and Sarah Stromack went on different paths after high school. However, timing and a little fate allowed them to play together one final time.

The duo, which was on the Wildcats 2006 state championship team, got a chance of a lifetime playing against the National Professional Fastptich Akron Racers in an exhibition series as members of the Ohio Collegiate All-Star team.

The series finale took place at All Pro Freight Stadium. Though the Racers won the game 14-2, the experience for the two players was a memory for the ages.

“It was a great opportunity to get a chance to put your jersey back on, get a few more at-bats and a chance to play against professionals.” Burt said. “A lot of these girls are ones who I have looked up to throughout my career. It was a fun experience to get to play against them.”

It helped that the former Keystone teammates were also playing with other players they have seen over the years.

“It’s always fun to play with people you have played with before,” Burt said. “There were quite a few girls from this team I have played travel ball with. It was a fun experience to get back together with the girls I have known and get to know the ones I have been playing against.”

The Racers, who won all three exhibition games, took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning only to see the All-Stars rally to tie the game in bottom half of the inning on DeDe Justice’s single to center to score Olivia Hegedus.

The Racers broke the game open with four runs in each of the third and fourth innings.Taylor Schlopy, who was drafted this season out of the University of Georgia, went 3-of-5 with three runs. Getting a chance to get play before the start of the regular season was beneficial to her.

“I think it has been a great experience so far,” Schlopy said. “I think these two games have really helped me feel comfortable personally because I am just coming out of college.”

Though neither Keystone player was able to get on base in this game, both played solid defensive. Burt, in her center field position, handled a couple of fly balls flawlessly and showed her arm strength which helped her during her career at Cleveland State University.

Stromack, who played at the University of Akron and started at catcher, was moved to the outfield. Though she never has played the position, she made a nice sliding catch to end the top of the sixth inning and prevent the Racers from tacking on another run.

“It was a shock,” Stromack said. “I always have played the infield. I decided I might as well as go to the outfield just to play. I can still catch a play. It was just a little more territory, but I’m not use to running. But that’s OK.”

Stromack did get a hit in the series, but it was a memory from a camp which made this game even more special.

Going to a camp in Cleveland which featured Crystl Bustos, the duo got to see the cream of the crop up close. Bustos, who played for the Akron Racers in 2005, has also won two gold medals. Stromack remembers the camp and having the hope of one day playing against them. When she got the chance, the moment was also too much.

“At first it was overwhelming and exciting, but I am really glad I did it,” Stromack said. “I really do look up to most of them on the team. They are very classy individuals and very sportsman-like. To actually get a chance to play against people we have looked up to for so long was fun.”

Stromack also had the pleasure of playing against one of her former coaches. Carla Brookbank-Schaal was a coach during Stromack’s freshman season.

When Burt and Stromack walked off the high school field for the last time; it was done as champions. Walking off the field as team mates one last time and playing against a team of professionals makes them champions again in its own way. It is something they will talk about in the years to come.

“I thought it was very fitting that we started in Lorain County together and we get to end it in Lorain County,” Stromack said.

courtesy of SCOTT SOMMERS

SHEFFIELD TWP. — When Aaron Marrero was 12 years old, he was ready to stop playing baseball.

His team traveled to Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame to play in a 50-team tournament.

"His team won that," said his father Johnny Marrero. "He realized he was a pretty good baseball player and he was going to stick it out."

Marrero, a Sheffield Village resident, did that and more. On Monday evening, he signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Winston-Salem State in North Carolina.

"It feels great as there is a weight off my shoulders now I can just relax and play," Marrero said. "I always wanted to play in the South and ironically in North Carolina. North Carolina is the best baseball you will see and I wanted to take advantage of that. I love the place and the weather."

Johnny Marrero has worked two jobs the last 16 years to put his six children through Catholic school. He is a Lorain firefighter and owns Glo-Mar Electrical.

Aaron Marrero is thankful for his dad’s sacrifice.

"It means as much to my dad as it means to me," Aaron Marrero said "It feels great. I wanted to do it for myself and my family. He has three more kids to put through Catholic school. So it is a weight off his shoulders."

Marrero recently graduated from St. Edward High School where he was a part of the 2010 State Champions. He said that experience was special.

"It meant the world," Marrero said. "We knew we had a great chance going into the season with two draft picks on the team. We were favorites but it took a lot of work. I had an injury last year but I made it back in the lineup for the playoffs and helped the team."

After playing in the outfield for St. Edward, Marrero spent last summer playing catcher for a Cincinnati Midland organization. The team won a championship at prestigious tournament in the south and Marrero opened some eyes including at St. Edward.

After being slated to return to the outfield, the St. Edward coaching staff was impressed by Marrero’s development and he finished his senior year as the starting catcher replacing Alex Lavisky who was drafted by the Cleveland Indians.

"I knew I had big shoes to fill," Marrero said. "I was trying to get a scholarship. At the time it was a struggle and no one was looking at you but all it takes it is one look."

While several schools really wanted Marrero and were offering partial scholarships, the money wasn’t a perfect fit. The elder Marrero found out that Winston-Salem State was forming a baseball team and he called coach Kevin Ritsche to see if he needed a catcher. Ritsche said yes and the Marrero sent videos.

"Kevin saw the videos and called right away and say ‘I want him’," Johnny Marrero said.

Signing the letter of commitment was the end of a long journey.

"We put in 10 years of hard work," Johnny Marrero said. "The kids has sacrificed. I don’t think he has spent Fourth of July with his family in 10 years because he was playing baseball. I am proud of the kid. He has stuck it out. He has been put in some spots where he didn’t get the recognition he deserved. I would get angry and he would say, ‘Dad it will work out’ and it did."

courtesy of Zachary Dzurick

Sandusky's Dailyn Moore is ready to compete for Cincinnati in track and field after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Moore was a state champion for Sandusky in the 110 hurdles and held the top high school time in the nation, finishing in 13.44 seconds.

Moore, who will be considered a red-shirt sophomore, competed at Clemson in 2010.

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — David Lyon hit a grand slam to key Kent State's six-run sixth inning and the Golden Thrashers stunned Texas 7-5 in the Austin Regional on Saturday night.

Western Reserve graduate Andrew Chafin (8-1) allowed four hits and four runs in 8 2-3 innings for Kent State (45-15).

Texas ace Taylor Jungmann (13-1) gave up seven earned runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings for the Longhorns (44-16). The last time he gave up that many runs was on March 26, 2010, against Texas Tech in Lubbock.

Jungmann's 15-game winning streak — longest in the nation — also ended.

Kevin Lusson hit a pinch-hit, three-run homer in the ninth for Texas. With runners at the corners, Tant Shepherd had a chance to give Texas the lead, but he popped out to end it.

Kent State coach Scott Stricklin was tossed in the fifth after the umpire called Derek Toadvine out for running inside the first-base line.

AUSTIN, Texas — Pinch hitter Jason Bagoly delivered the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 11th inning to push No. 3-seeded Kent State baseball team to a 4-2 triumph over No. 2-seeded Texas State on Friday in the opening game of the Austin Regional of the 2011 NCAA Championship at the University of Texas’s UFCU Disch-Falk Field.

Ranked No. 24 in the nation according to the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, the Golden Flashes (44-15) won their first NCAA postseason game since eliminating then No. 24-ranked Cal Poly, 10-9, on May 30, 2009, at the Tempe Regional.

Kent State advances to the regional semifinal on Saturday against No.1-seeded Texas.
MAC Pitcher of the Year Kyle Hallock put together a solid 6 1/3 innings of work. He struck out three and allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks.

Already one of the most decorated players in school history, Amherst graduate Ryan Rua was named to the 2011 Daktronics, Inc. All-America Baseball Team as an honorable mention selection. Rua is the first Lake Erie College baseball player to earn All-American honors in the program’s 10-year history.

"It’s a tremendous honor to be named to the All-American team," Rua said. "And to be the first baseball player from Lake Erie College to do so is very special."

The team was selected by members of the NCAA Division II College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and has been sponsored by scoring and timing display system manufacturer and supplier Daktronics, Inc. since 2007.

For Rua, it is his fourth post-season all-star team selection. He was previously a first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, American Baseball Coaches Association All-Midwest Region and Daktronics, Inc. All-Midwest Region selection as well as a second-team National College Baseball Writers Association All-Midwest Region pick.

"All three (conference, region and All-American) were personal goals of mine this season," said Rua, who was one of three Storm players picked for the All-Region team along with senior Brandon James (Mentor) and Admiral King graduate Matt Toth.

"To have three players on the All-Region teams, and for me to make an All-American squad, really shows how much this program has grown in such little time and where it is headed," Rua said.

"An accomplishment like being the first All-American in baseball school history certainly speaks for itself," Storm head coach Brian McGee said. "It’s the highest individual honor a player can get. In order to reach that standing, you have to play consistent baseball both offensively and defensively throughout the course of an entire season, which can be quite grueling for a student-athlete. And Ryan has done that, not just this season, but throughout his entire career."

Rua, who is ranked as the fourth-highest draftable prospect in Division II by Baseball America prior to the season, had another stellar season at the plate. He batted an even .400 for the second straight season and set Lake Erie single-season records with 68 hits and 19 stolen bases. He also led the team with 44 RBIs, 42 runs scored and 16 doubles while tying for the team lead with five home runs. Rua slugged a team-high .594 and had a Storm-best 1.031 OPS, starting all 47 games.

"I think my play on the field has been directly affected, by the coaches that I have had throughout my 3 years. All coaches that have been here with me have always been willing to help out and workout whenever it was needed."

"For a player to achieve an individual accomplishment of this magnitude, he obviously must perform on the field and put up strong individual numbers," McGee said. "But to do that, he needs teammates who are supportive and hard working and Ryan had that with Matt Toth getting on base in front of him and Brandon James protecting him in the lineup. Of course, you have to take advantage of those opportunities and Ryan did that often and came through with some big plays for us."

In addition to his performance at the plate, Rua also contributed on the mound, going 1-0 with two saves and a 3.18 ERA in six relief appearances.

For his career, Rua has a .374 average with 27 home runs and 131 RBIs. He finishes with 276 hits and 117 runs while stealing 33 bases. He is the school’s career leader in slugging, homers, RBIs, total bases and stolen base percentage.

"Ryan has had three tremendous years for us now," McGee added. "Had we been in a conference before this year, he may have had a shot to be noticed more and be receiving multiple All-American honors, he’s been that good and consistent a player for our program. He definitely is one of the best players in school history, along with guys like James, Toth and Ben Reed."

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Rua has been listed on several draft scouting services as one of the top 15 shortstops and top 30 middle infield prospects eligible for the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft which takes place June 6-8.

Perkins graduate Kyle Hallock, along with teammate Kyle McMillen (North Canton) garnered Louisville Slugger NCAA Division I Third Team All-America selection as members of the No. 24 ranked Kent State.

"It’s a tribute to what they’ve been able to accomplish, not only this season, but their entire careers," MAC Coach of the Year Scott Stricklin. "They’re very hard workers and guys that came in as freshmen and paid their dues. They worked their way into their roles and both have had phenomenal seasons."

The duo is mentored by 14th-year associate head coach Mike Birkbeck, who has helped tutor a pitching staff that ranks sixth in the country with a team earned run average of 2.56 and helped lead Kent State to a 43-15 record, MAC regular season and tournament titles and the 12th NCAA Championship berth in program history in 2011.

A 2010 MLB Draft selection of the Philadelphia Phillies, Hallock has posted a MAC-best 10 wins, which ties him for 17th in the nation and second on the school’s single-season records list. The team captain anchors a Kent State pitching staff that leads the conference and is sixth in the country with a 2.56 team ERA. Hallock has struck out 83 while allowing just 21 earned runs over 99.0 innings and 15 starts and his ERA o 1.91 ranks 30th in the country.

He ranks second in school history with 232 career strikeouts, third with 289.2 innings pitched and tied for seventh with 22 career victories.

"This is one of the goals I had when I came to college," Hallock said. "It’s very gratifying, and it’s big deal for me and my family, but the team goals come first. When you win, individual honors come, and that’s what this is the result of."

Lorain native Anthony Toth (St. Ignatius) just finished his college career at Michigan, where he played baseball for four years and capped it off being named with Michigan’s Sportsmanship Award honors.

Toth, who played in 39 games before an injury cut his season short, hit .292 with 24 doubles, four triples, a home run and 71 RBIs in his Wolverine career. Toth helped Michigan to a 2007 Nashville Regional title and hit .313 and .309 in 2009 and 2010.

He was named to the All-Big Ten Tournament team in 2010, starting all 57 games in the middle infield that season. He had 10 multi-hit games this season, driving in three runs in a win over Iowa on April 24 and had the game-winning double in the Winthorp win on March 12.

Toth graduated in August of 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sport management from the School of Kinesiology.

The student-athletes chosen for the Sportsmanship Award are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.

swalker@MorningJournal.com

Perkins graduate Cory Leslie — an All-American — advanced to the NCAA outdoor championships with an impressive performances in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2011 NCAA East Regional Preliminaries at Indiana University’s Billy Hayes Track.

Leslie posted the top finish for the Buckeye track and field team, finishing seventh overall in the steeplechase in a personal-best time of 8:40.49. Leslie will be appearing in the steeple at the outdoor finals for the second year in a row, having finished 19th overall as a sophomore in 2010.

swalker@MorningJournal.com