Baseball Places Six on 2004 All-Missouri Valley Conference Teams

May 24, 2004

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Nathan Emrick and Andrew Weber each garnered first-team honors, as six Southern Illinois University baseball players were named to the 2004 All-Missouri Valley Conference Teams, announced today by the league office. Nathan Boldt and Eric Haberer also took second-team honors, while Cory Newman and Jason Chavez were tabbed honorable mention.

Emrick, a utility player, has played at six different positions for the Salukis this season. A native of Griggsville, Ill., he leads his team in several offensive categories, including batting average (.355), runs (34), hits (77) and stolen bases (15). He also ranks second on the team in RBI (29) and total bases (88), and has collected a team-leading 24 multiple-hit games. In addition, he heads to this week's MVC Tournament on a four-game hitting streak and was named honorable mention in 2003.

Weber, who hails from Midlothian, Ill., is having an outstanding year as SIU's closer. The right-handed relief pitcher holds a team-best 5-1 record with nine saves in 24 appearances. Also sporting a 3.34 ERA, he recently picked up a pair of saves in the Salukis' regular-season finale at Northern Iowa on May 22. Weber now has 10 career saves which tie for third with Dewey Robinson (1974-77) on the school's all-time saves list. Additionally, he registered 33 strikeouts to 14 walks in 35 innings.

An honorable mention all-MVC pick in 2003, Boldt made his way on to the second-team as SIU's starting third baseman. A native of Mt. Vernon, Ill., Boldt hits a third-best .294 with 28 runs scored, 57 hits, eight doubles, three home runs and 18 RBI in 54 starts. The majority of those totals have come in league games alone, where he collected 16 runs, 32 hits, seven doubles, a home run and nine RBI.

Haberer, one of SIU's top closers in 2003, took over the role as the Salukis' ace pitcher this year. A native of Bloomington, Ill., the crafty left-hander is 5-3 with a 3.58 ERA. In 15 appearances, including 11 starts, Haberer has thrown two complete games, picked up one save and recorded a team-leading 56 strikeouts in 75.1 innings of work. Thirty-four of those Ks have come in his last six outings on the hill.

After a shoulder injury forced him to receive a medical redshirt a year ago, Newman was named honorable mention all-MVC for the second time in his Saluki career. Newman, who was also named honorable mention all-MVC in 2002, is from Ottawa, Ill. Following a successful summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League, he returned to SIU this season and posted a second-best .304 clip at the plate in league games. In 31 of 32 conference starts as the Dawgs' center fielder, Newman also scored 13 runs, collected 31 hits, hit two home runs and posted 18 RBI.

Lastly, Chavez made an immediate impact in his first year at SIU. A native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., and transfer from Mineral Area College, the right-hander has been among the Salukis' starting rotation for most of the year. In 15 appearances, including eight starts, Chavez is 4-4 with a 2.31 ERA, two complete games, one shutout and 30 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. Most recently, he pitched eight innings of shutout baseball en route to a 1-0 win over Northern Iowa on May 22.

2004 All-Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Teams
First Team1B Logan Sorensen, Sr., Wichita State2B Tony Roth, Jr., CreightonSS Brooks Colvin, Sr., SMS3B Brandon Green, Sr., Wichita StateC Jud Kindle, Sr., SMSDH Pat Tumilty, Fr., EvansvilleUT Nathan Emrick, So., Southern IllinoisOF Drew Moffitt, Sr., Wichita StateOF Nick Blasi, Sr., Wichita StateOF Cody Strait, Jr., EvansvilleSP Steve Grasley, Sr., CreightonSP Mike Pelfrey, So., Wichita StateSP Brett Sinkbeil, Fr., SMSRP Tommy Hottovy, Sr., Wichita StateRP Andrew Weber, Jr., Southern Illinois
Second Team1B Erik Lis, So., Evansville2B Shawn Smarsh, Sr., Wichita StateSS Brad Dutton, Jr., Creighton3B Nathan Boldt, Sr., Southern IllinoisC Brad Canada, Jr., BradleyDH Marcus Artner, Fr., Indiana StateUT Ryan Curry, Fr., BradleyOF Rene Aqueron, Sr., BradleyOF Jake Manning, Jr., SMSOF Dan Norquist, Jr., CreightonSP Eric Haberer, Jr., Southern IllinoisSP Paul Marsala, So., SMSSP Steve Uhlmansiek, So., Wichita StateRP Eric DeJong, Jr., Northern IowaRP Brian Omogrosso, So., Indiana State
Honorable MentionCreighton - SP Eric WordekemperEvansville - 2B Kyle SmithIllinois State - OF Nate Whitney; RP Kyle ZaleskiIndiana State - SS Josh Prickett; UT Ryan Bond; SP Matt ZaleskiNorthern Iowa - 2B Pat Moran; 3B Dan Grant; 1B Sean LaCoste; OF Armando LaraSouthern Illinois - OF Cory Newman; SP Jason ChavezSMS - OF Chris TaylorWichita State - DH Mark Johnson
Joe Carter/Valley Player of the YearCO-MVP Logan Sorensen, Wichita StateCO-MVP Brandon Green, Wichita State
Newcomer of the YearCody Strait, Evansville
Pitcher of the YearMike Pelfrey, Wichita State
Freshman of the YearBrett Sinkbeil, SMS

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