University of Minnesota Athletics
Anderson, Appert, Woodrow Lead Baseball in Postseason Honors
5/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Appert, who finished third in the league in conference hitting, also ranked in the top 10 in six other categories, including leading the Big Ten in slugging percentage (.770) and total bases (77) and finishing second in home runs (9). Appert shared the award with two other players, Kennard Jones of Indiana and Bob Malek of Michigan State. It is the first time in conference history tri-players of the year have been named. Appert becomes third Golden Gopher to be named Big Ten Player of the Year in the last four years, and the sixth in school history, tying Minnesota with Michigan as the school with the most Conference Player of the Year awards.
Woodrow became the first player in Golden Gopher history and just the fifth in the league ever to earn seven conference victories in one season, tying a Big Ten record. He was among conference leaders in five pitching categories, and set a new league record for bases on balls per nine innings pitched, allowing just seven free passes in 53 innings. His overall strikeout to walk ratio is unmatched by any other pitcher in the Big Ten at over 5 to 1. Woodrow is the first Golden Gopher ever to earn the Pitcher of the Year award.
Minnesota's other award winners also boasted good numbers. Welch, a two-time Big Ten Player of the Week, led the conference in hitting with a .398 batting average. Kennedy raked for nine home runs, 26 RBI, 29 runs scored and 61 total bases in league play, and led the Big Ten outfield with three assists. Beaulieu recorded career numbers all season long, including this first home run of his career. He finished third on the team with a .338 batting average in Big Ten play, and threw out more runners on the base paths than any other catcher in the conference. Pattee, who moved from third base to designated hitter in the middle of the season to focus on his hitting, did not disappoint. He finished third on the team with six doubles and 19 RBI, while batting over .300 all year. Perhaps his biggest contribution was his game-winning grand slam in Purdue, helping Minnesota sweep the Boilermakers and take control of first place in the standings. Last year's runner-up for Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Steidl anchored the Golden Gopher outfield, covering ground in center field and making defensive plays that left opponents stunned. As the leadoff hitter on the team, Steidl had a 2 to 1 walk to strikeout ratio, and finished second on the team in stolen bases.
Minnesota, the 2002 regular-season conference champions, will act as this year's host of the postseason tournament. The Golden Gophers, by virtue of winning the league title, earned a number one seed and a first round bye. They will play the lowest-seeded winner from round one Thursday at 7 p.m. CDT. For complete tournament coverage and game schedules, log onto www.GopherSports.com.
Here is a list of Minnesota's postseason award winners: Coach of the Year: John Anderson Player of the Year: Luke Appert (tied with Kennard Jones, Ind. & Bob Malek, Mich. St.) Pitcher of the Year: C.J. Woodrow First Team All-Big Ten: Luke Appert - 2B Scott Welch - SS C.J. Woodrow - P Second Team All-Big Ten:Jason Kennedy - OF Third Team All-Big Ten: Jeremy Beaulieu - C Sam Steidl - OF Ben Pattee - Designated Hitter
