Bruins well-represented on all-NSAA teams
Bellevue University had the Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year as well as the co-Player and co-Coach of the Year in the North Star Athletic Association’s annual post-season awards voting.
BISMARCK, N.D. -- Bellevue University had the Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year as well as the co-Player and co-Coach of the Year in the North Star Athletic Association's annual post-season awards voting.
The Bruins had five representatives on the all-NSAA first team, three more on the all-NSAA, second team, two honorable mention selections, and a pair of Gold Glove selections.
Corey Jackson was named the NSAA Pitcher of the Year after leading the country with 150 strikeouts in 96 innings of work. He led the team with a 0.96 WHIP and ranked second with 14.06 strikeouts per nine innings. He went 8-3 with a save over 16 appearances (15 starts) and pitched to a 2.34 ERA.
McGrane Pledger earned NSAA Newcomer of the Year honors after pitching to a 4-3 record with a 2.98 ERA. His 14.15 strikeouts per nine innings over 48.1 innings of work led the team among qualified pitchers and his WHIP of 1.03 was second on the club.
Josh Vaughan shared NSAA Player of the Year honors with Jorun Hamre of Valley City State. Vaughan led the Bruins in hitting (.373), slugging (.596), extra-base hits (25), and RBI (39) while posting a 1.034 OPS and scoring 40 runs.
In addition to the three above players, Conner Barnett (.361 AVG, .972 OPS, 17 XBH, 12 SB) and Graham Cahill (5-2, 3.43 ERA, 59 SO, 57.2 IP) also earned first team all-conference honors.
Additionally, Cody Banks (.330 AVG, .882 OPS, 21 XBH, 35 RBI), Charlie Patterson (7-1, 4.06 ERA, 71 SO, 62 IP), and Alexandro Celiceo (6-0, 3 SV, 2.06 ERA, 43.2 IP) were named second team all-conference.
Derek Browne (3-2, 2 SV, 1.99 ERA, 9.53 K/9) and Riley Baasch (.327 AVG, 1.007 OPS, 20 XBH, 31 RBI) were each honorable mention selections.
For their defensive prowess, the NSAA recognized Baasch and Banks as Gold Glove Winners at first and second base, respectively.
Duane Monlux was selected as the NSAA co-Coach of the year, sharing the award with Mayville State's Scott Berry. Monlux led the Bruins to their second-straight NSAA regular-season championship – their fourth in five seasons – and secured the program's 10th-straight NAIA National Tournament bid.
Bellevue (38-16/15-5 NSAA) hosts next week's NAIA National Tournament Opening Round – Bellevue Bracket from May 17-20 at Don Roddy Field. The entire tournament field will be announced Thursday, May 13 at 4 p.m.