Matt Barker, Sports Information Director
JOPLIN, Mo. - The Freed-Hardeman Lion baseball team was well represented in the 2018 American Midwest Conference post-season awards, as seven FHU players were named All-Conference recipients, announced Tuesday by the conference office.
The Lions locked up the All-Freshman awards, as Josh Sears was named Freshman Player of the Year while Connor Creasy earned Freshman Pitcher of the Year. During the regular season, Sears hit .370 and pounded out 14 homeruns to be one of the key ingredients in FHU's success. Creasy also stood out in his freshman campaign for the Lions, as he posted an impressive 8-0 record on the mound.
Collin McPherson also headlined the All-Conference awards, as he was named the Dual Position Player of the Year after providing solid play for the Lions in left field and on the mound in 2018.
Several other FHU players were recognized as First-Team and Second-Team recipients including Beau Caviness, Wes Brooks and Josh Sears, who were named First-Team All-Conference recipients. Austin Steel and Bryce Lester were also recognized as Second-Team All-Conference honorees.
Listed below is a complete list of the All-Conference awards:
Player of the Year: Andrew Warner, Columbia
Co-Pitchers of the Year: Tyson Campbell, Lyon and Ben Madison, Central Baptist
Dual Position Player of the Year: Collin McPherson, Freed-Hardeman
Coach of the Year: Tony Roepcke, Lyon
Freshman Player of the Year: Josh Sears, Freed-Hardeman
Freshman Pitcher of the Year: Connor Creasy, Freed-Hardeman
Newcomer Player of the Year: Alex Del Rio, Columbia
Newcomer Pitcher of the Year: Tyson Campbell, Lyon
First Team All-Conference
Ben Madison, Central Baptist (P)
Austin Kuchinski, Central Baptist (C)
Andrew Warner, Columbia (1B)
Jordan Wright, Columbia (OF)
Ethan Howser, Columbia (OF)
Alex Del Rio, Columbia (Util. IF)
Daktona Stone, Columbia (P)
Justin Randle, Columbia (DH)
Beau Caviness, Freed-Hardeman (Util. Pitcher)
Wes Brooks, Freed-Hardeman (OF)
Josh Sears, Freed-Hardeman (DH)
Stephen Wells, Harris-Stowe (P)
Cole Danielson, Harris-Stowe (2B)
Kellan Murray, L'wood-Belleville (3B)
Tyson Campbell, Lyon (P)
Zane Prichard, Lyon (C)
Tommy Nawa, Missouri Baptist (C)
Mason Washington, Missouri Baptist (OF)
Tim Schaareman, Park (SS)
Taran Oulton, William Woods (P)
Second Team All-Conference
Jose Delmar, Central Baptist (P)
Austin Steel, Freed-Hardeman (P)
Bryce Lester, Freed-Hardeman (SS)
Tim Gurnow, Hannibal-LaGrange (C)
Tanner Disibio, Harris-Stowe (P)
Jonathan Steiner, L'wood-Belleville (Util. Pitcher)
Ian Rodriguez, L'wood-Belleville (OF)
Tyler Tognarine, Lyon (P)
Kyle West, Lyon (DH)
Logan Reddick, Lyon (3B)
Tristan Buschow, Lyon (2B)
Kylan Barnett, Lyon (1B)
John Hagan, Missouri Baptist (Util. IF)
General McArthur, Missouri Baptist (OF)
Will Long, Park (OF)
Nolan Aherin, William Woods (OF)
Layne Ditto, Williams Baptist (P)
Corbitt Cooper, Williams Baptist (C)
Griffin Siebert was also represented in the post-season honors, as he was named to the Champions of Character team. The Champions of Character team is comprised of one athlete from each team who best exemplify the five core values of the NAIA.
AMC Champions of Character Team
Central Baptist – Ryan Guyton
Columbia – Tim Fox
Freed-Hardeman – Griffin Siebert
Hannibal-LaGrange – Lane Thebeau
Harris-Stowe – Ty Haston
Lindenwood-Belleville – Andrew Basler
Lyon – Easton Moore
Missouri Baptist – Tommy Nawa
Park – Tim Schaareman
William Woods – Tyler Cunningham
Williams Baptist – Colton Dunbar
Freed-Hardeman was also represented well on the Academic All-Conference team, as 29 players were named Academic All-Conference recipients. In order to qualify for the honor, athletes must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. The Academic All-Conference recipients from Freed-Hardeman are listed below:
For more information regarding the AMC Baseball All-Conference awards, visit the American Midwest Conference website at www.amcsportsonline.com
