Walker highlights Brock Baseball major awards winners

Most Valuable Player Award: Mike Walker

Mike had one of the best seasons in Brock baseball history in 2009, leading the team in almost every major category (Batting Average, At-Bats, Runs, Hits, RBIs, doubles and triples), as well as leading the OUA in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and triples on his way to winning their Most Valuable Hitter Award, along with a selection to Mike’s third OUA All-Star team as a First Team All-Star in the outfield.

Top Hitter Award: Mitch Peragine

Mitch had a fabulous first season with the Brock Badgers, while battling through a nagging shoulder injury that prevented him from playing defence. Mitch battled through the injury and was one of the teams best hitters finishing the year with a .423 batting average, recording 22 hits in only 52 at-bats. Mitch was rewarded for his strong play by the OUA when he was selected as a First Team All-Star as the designated hitter.

Top Pitcher Award: Mickey Campeanu

Mickey had a great returning year, after suffering through shoulder injuries and being the teams trainer in the 2008 season, Mickey bounced back and was Brock’s best pitcher. After starting the season as the team’s closer Mickey earned a promotion to the starting rotation and didn’t look back posting a team leading 3-1 record, along with 1 save, and a 1.52 earned run average, while finishing second on the team in strikeouts and innings pitched. In OUA league play Campeanu placed second in earned run average, and seventh in strikeouts.

Rookie of the Year Award: Bill Steven & Matt Marinelli

The youngster had an incredible rookie season for Brock, being the youngest player on the team and still holding down the starting first base job while batting in the middle of the Brock batting order. Bill responded by having a solid year finishing third on the team in runs batted in, and fourth on the team in at-bats, showing the strong trust that Coach Lounsbury had in the youngster. Marinelli also had a strong rookie season, as after struggling to get playing time to start the season Matt came on strong to finish the year with a .375 batting average. Matt’s best games came during league play in the OUA as he finished second to teammate Mike Walker in league batting average with a .438 average which lead to Marinelli’s first OUA All-Star selection.

Gold Glove Award: Craig Jacques

Craig had a strong second year with the Brock team earning their starting center fielder job, and batting in the leadoff spot throughout the season. Craig’s glove was fabulous as he was an anchor in the outfield consistently making plays with his glove and arm.

Most Improved Player Award: Cameron Graham

Cameron really stepped up in his second year with the team, earning himself the starting catcher’s position and taking a strong step forward as a team leader going forward. Cam’s improvement was on both at the plate and behind it, as offensively he improved on virtually all of his stats and defensively was a calming presence on the pitching staff.

Sportsmanship Award: Justin Parro & Casey Burnie

Justin Parro had another strong season in his third year with Brock, and has become one of the teams most reliable players. When Coach Lounsbury looks for a spark he consistently looks in Parro’s direction, and Justin continued to answer the call this past season. In 2009, Lounsbury moved Parro all around the field and despite struggling at times defensively Justin never let his frustration out on his teammate and worked through his early struggles to have another strong season. Justin has consistently put the team first in his three years with the team and will be looked towards in the 2010 season as a veteran leader. Burnie finished off his Brock career with his strongest season yet, and was rewarded for his season by being selected to the OUA All Star team. Burnie set career highs in several offensive categories, and was one of the team’s strongest defensive players as the starting second baseman.

Scholastic Academic Award: Ben Sylvester

For the third year in a row Ben has been the team’s top student. On the field Ben was a true team player accepting a lesser role on the team without complaining at all. Sylvester’s dedication on and off the field throughout his five year career have made him a strong baseball player and person.

Jess Dixon Dedication Award: Mike Walker

After struggling through the 2008 season it would have been easy for Mike to walk away after four years with the team, but instead Mike chose to come back for the 2009 season and the Badgers are sure glad he did. Mike’s dedication to baseball and the Brock team was clear during the 2009 season when all of his hard work over his previous four seasons with the team came together in a career season.

Kevin Heins Alumni of the Year Award: Ryan Johns

Former Badger pitcher Ryan Johns has been awarded with the first annual Kevin Heins Award, which is given out to the Alumni who best exemplifies the qualities that Kevin Heins stood for, including dedication, perserverence and compassion. Ryan pitched for the Badgers from 1998-2001 and is now a police officer in Sault Ste. Marie. In the community Johns works tirelessly to improve his community volunteer as a coach for the Midget All-Star baseball team as well as volunteering with several local charities.

Graduating Pitcher of the Year Award: Matt Martinow

Matt Martinow is the winner of the first annual Graduating Pitcher of the Year Award, which has been made possible by a generous donation, and incredible dedication by former Badger pitcher, and Hall of Fame member Mike Poelman. Martinow had his strongest year yet in 2009, as he set career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts, on his way to a solid 3-2 record. Matt lead the team in several categories including wins, strikeouts and innings pitched while also posting a fabulous earned run average of 2.08. One of Matt’s strongest performances came against Western when Matt recorded his only save of the season, shutting Westerns offense down over two innings and holding onto a slim one run Badger lead. In the OUA, Matt finished fourth in strikeouts and was rewarded for his strong season with his first selection to the OUA All-Star team.

Written By: James Parker (General Manager)