May 18, 2011 – A team record for wins in a season and a dominating performance in Northern Athletics Conference play added up to a strong showing by the Concordia Cougars as the 2011 Northern Athletics Conference Baseball Awards were announced today. The voting was conducted in a conference call by the NAC baseball coaches.
First-year Concordia head coach Adam Smith was named the NAC Coach of the Year. Smith, who served the two previous seasons as the Cougars' hitting coach, led this year's team to a 35-10 record, topping the previous record of 33 wins in a season. The Cougars won the NAC regular-season title with a 20-2 record, the best in the five-year history of the conference. No team had ever completed a conference season with less than four losses.
Nick Skala (Long Grove, Ill. – St. Viator H.S.) earned the Position Player of the Year honor. The junior catcher batted .390 with a slugging percentage of .678. Skala led the team with 47 runs scored, 10 homers and 63 RBIs, the latter establishing a new Concordia single-season record.
“What a great honor for Nick,” said Smith. “Nick had an unbelievable year. He was our spark, the guy we looked to when we needed a big hit or big play. I'm very happy that the conference recognized the kind of season he had. This was a well-deserved honor for Nick.”
Brenden Schulz (Kenosha, Wis. – Bradford H.S.) won the Freshman of the Year honor and All-NAC honorable mention status. Schulz contributed to the Cougars' success pitching and playing the outfield. He batted .377 with a .504 on-base average and scored 42 runs from the leadoff spot in the order. On the mound, Schulz started nine games and went 7-1 with a 2.83 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings.
“Brenden had an unreal season,” said Smith. “Very few freshmen can contribute the way he did with both the hitting and the pitching. He was hurt early in the season, but our team really got going when he came back and we put him in the leadoff spot. Brenden accepted every challenge we threw at him and answered them all. I couldn't ask for more from a first-year player.”
Four more Cougars joined Skala as First Team All-NAC selections.
Micah Buss (Columbus, Ind. – Columbus North H.S.), in his fourth year with the Cougar pitching staff and second as a starter, pitched in 10 games and went 5-1 with a 2.57 ERA. He led the staff in innings pitched with 63 and struck out 49 batters while holding opponents to a .251 average.
“Micah was our most consistent pitcher for four years,” said Smith. “He's a great competitor, someone we always wanted on the mound.”
Fellow starting pitcher
Anthony Collaro (Melrose Park, Ill. – Walther Lutheran H.S.) dominated the conference for much of the season, finishing 7-2 with a 2.73 ERA. The senior right hander led the staff with three complete games and authored a shutout against Benedictine University April 30. Collaro fanned 50 batters in 56 innings and held opponents to a .268 batting average.
“This is a great honor for Anthony,” said Smith. “He came into his own this year. Anthony was our number one starter this year and pitched like an ace. I am very proud of how he earned this honor.”
Dan Eichholzer (Elwood, Ill. – Joliet Township H.S.) batted .353 in his second season as the Cougars' rightfielder. His speed wreaked havoc with the opponents; arguably one of the NAC's top bunters, Eichholzer scored 35 runs despite batting low in the order, and he topped the Cougars in stolen bases with 13 in 14 attempts. The sophomore also possessed a strong arm in the field as demonstrated by his throwing out a runner at home plate in the NAC Championship Game May 15.
“I really feel that Dan was one of the best defensive outfielders in the country this year,” said Smith. “He hit well and was one of our best base runners. It was great to see Dan put it all together this year.”
Cam Stephens (Rosemont, Ill. – East Leyden H.S.) went from a part-time role in his first two seasons to leading the conference in batting average this year. The junior designated hitter and part-time outfielder batted .453 (63-139) in 41 games. He scored 34 runs and drove in 45. Moreover, 23 of Stephens' hits went for extra bases, helping him to a NAC-leading .691 slugging percentage.
“Cam was truly our biggest surprise this year,” said Smith. “He didn't play much the first two years, but he stuck with the program and became a very important part of our success this year. His tenacity and determination was something to see, and it sets a great example for younger players to follow.”
Eric Ignatowski (Carol Stream, Ill. – Glenbard North H.S.) was awarded honorable mention All-NAC. The senior shortstop hit .304 in 41 games with 42 runs scored and 39 RBIs.
“Eric did a nice job at shortstop for us,” said Smith. “He produced consistently at the plate whether batting at the top or the bottom of the lineup. Eric was able to contribute to our run production in a number of ways.”
Thomas Gier (Fox Lake, Ill. – Grant H.S.) joined Schulz on the All-Freshman Team. The third baseman/designated hitter hit .403 with 24 runs and 25 RBIs while recording a .494 on-base percentage.
“Thomas had a great first year,” said Smith. “He batted in the middle of our lineup and came up with some clutch hits. We look forward to having his bat in our lineup for three more years.”
The Northern Athletics Conference also announced its All-Sportsmanship Team. Concordia's representative on the 12-man team was sophomore centerfielder
Shawn Miller (Pleasant Prairie, Wis. – Tremper H.S.).
