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University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Host Team Banquet
5/31/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Minneapolis, Minn. - The University of Minnesota baseball team handed out team awards and celebrated the season Tuesday night at the team banquet. The award winners were selected by the team and the coaches.
The Scholar-Athlete Award was presented to Tim Shannon who excelled on and off the field for the Gophers. On the field this season, Shannon made 31 appearances out of the bullpen, a new single season record for the program. He posted a 3-0 record with a 2.95 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 39.2 innings. Opponents had a .241 batting average versus Shannon and only one wild pitch. Shannon plans to attend law school.
The student managers were named the Phil Isaksson Teammates of the Year. Ryan Goll, Sam Niedorf, Cale McElroy, Nick Kropidlowski, CJ Kramer and Greg Whitaker received the award after their tireless devotion to the team and helping the squad roll throughout the season.
The David Chelesnik, Jr. Memorial Award was awarded to Reggie Meyer and Toby Hanson after they came back from injuries to have successful seasons. Meyer was 5-1 this season with a 3.18 ERA and 32 strikeouts. Opponents had a .194 batting average versus Meyer who only gave up one home run during the season.
Hanson had a .319 batting average this season and led the team with 57 RBIs. He also led the team with 112 total bases after recording 14 doubles, four triples and five home runs for a .477 slugging percentage. Hanson picked up all three of his stolen bases at the Big Ten Tournament en route to being named to the all-tournament team.
Brian Glowicki was named the George Thomas Most Improved Player after breaking the single season record with 16 saves. He had 2.20 ERA with a 2-1 record and 39 strikeouts. Opponents had a .216 batting average versus him and he is currently for most saves in the country.
Luke Pettersen earned the Paul Molitor Batting Champion Award after posting a .354 batting average (69-195). The junior second baseman also scored 33 runs while driving in 30 RBIs. He also walked 17 times to boost a .411 on-base percentage.
Lucas Gilbreath was named the Dave Winfield Pitcher of the Year after a 5-2 overall record. The lefty had a 2.66 ERA, the lowest among starting pitchers, and led the team with 92 strikeouts. In 81.1 innings, opponents only had a .184 batting average versus Gilbreath.
The Dugout Club Player of the Year was awarded to Jordan Smith. The senior outfielder had .309 batting average in 56 games. He hit a team leading six home runs while driving in 30 runs and scoring 31 runs. Smith posted a .981 fielding percentage after only committing one error throughout the season.
The final award given out during the evening was the Dick Siebert MVP Memorial Award which was awarded to Jordan Kozicky. The redshirt freshman played multiple positions this season where he posted a .325 batting average, third highest on the team. He also scored 38 runs, hit four home runs and drove in 28 RBIs.
You can follow along as student-athletes play summer ball by following the Gophers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
