 |
 Anthony Bass was named Most Valuable Player and Top Pitcher. |
May 13, 2008
DETROIT - The Wayne State baseball team held its annual senior recognition and awards banquet Monday evening at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center on the WSU campus.
Junior pitcher Anthony Bass (Trenton, Mich.) was named Most Valuable Player as voted upon by his teammates. A First Team All-GLIAC and Pitcher of the Year selection in 2008, Bass leads the conference in earned run average (2.37) strikeouts (78) and opposing batting average (.209) while ranking second in wins (9) and fourth in innings pitched (68.1). He has 184 career strikeouts, seventh all-time at WSU, and 20 career victories, which is tied for third. In addition, Bass has a 5.57 strikeout/walk ratio this season and 3.35 for his career second-best in school history. Bass was also given WSU's Top Pitcher award.
The Top Hitter honor went to junior Adam Kaminski (Clinton Twp., Mich./Mt. Clemens), Wayne State's leader in batting average (.400), slugging percentage (.536) and on base percentage (.477). He ranks second on the team in doubles (10) and tied for fourth in RBI (28) while posting 15 multiple-hit games, third-most on the squad. Kaminski, who also ranks fourth in the GLIAC in fielding percentage (.994, one error in 158 chances), was named to the All-GLIAC Second Team as a first baseman but has contributed on the mound as well, notching three saves and 23 strikeouts in 13 pitching appearances.
Junior outfielder Drew Churchward (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer) was presented with the Top Defensive Player award after being charged just one error in 80 chances (.988 fielding percentage). He started 46 games, 44 in the outfield (39 in center) and contributed offensively as well with a .298 batting average, 24 RBI, 16 stolen bases and team-highs of 45 runs and 12 doubles.
The Most Improved Player award was given to junior shortstop Matthew Williams (Detroit, Mich./Royal Oak Shrine). Williams increased his batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, and fielding percentage from a year ago and also improved in nearly every other offensive category, including runs, hits, triples, RBI, total bases, walks, and steals. Williams leads the GLIAC with 28 stolen bases and ranks among the top 10 in runs scored (45), triples (4), walks (28), and fielding assists (117).
Other awards presented Monday included the Warrior Award which went to senior catcher Matt Cunningham (Gregory, Mich./Chelsea), a two-year captain and WSU's active leader in games played (173), at bats (451), walks (61) and sacrifice hits (16). Freshman Phil Swanson (Rochester Hills, Mich./Stoney Creek) received the "Gary Chapp" Spirit Award, and Williams was given the Weight Room Warrior award on behalf of assistant strength and conditioning coach Anthony Delli-Pizzi.