» 2009 ABCA All-Mideast Region Team

The College of Wooster, NCAA Div. III Mideast Regional Tournament champions, had four of its players named to the 2009 American Baseball Coaches Association All-Mideast Region Team, highlighted by sophomore Justin McDowell (Willard, Ohio / Willard), who was the Pitcher of the Year. Also picking up first-team all-region recognition were senior outfielder Sean Karpen (Venetia, Pa. / Peters Twp.) and senior pitcher Mark Miller (Convoy, Ohio / Crestview), while junior Matt Groezinger (Columbus, Ohio / Upper Arlington) received second-team status as a utility player.

McDowell, who was expected to be Wooster's No. 4 starter this spring, had a breakout season to say the least, as the 6-2, 190-pound right-hander not only developed into the ace of the staff, but he leads NCAA Div. III in wins with 12. In addition to a 12-2 record, McDowell sports a 2.27 ERA, ranking 31st in the nation in that category, and he rates 32nd in strikeouts (82) and 42nd in hits allowed per nine innings (7.37). During the Scots' current 10-game postseason run, McDowell has gone 5-0 with a 1.91 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 37.2 innings en route to the Most Outstanding Player and Most Valuable Player awards at the Mideast regional tourney and North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament, respectively.

Karpen, now a two-time all-region selection (second-team in 2008), has been the table setter for Wooster's offense, batting out of the leadoff spot and recording a hit in 46 of the team's 48 games, including a 28-game hitting streak to start the season. Overall, the speedy centerfielder has compiled a .424 average and he ranks tied for fifth in Div. III in total hits (82) and tied for eighth in runs scored (67). Additionally, Karpen, the North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year, has compiled 15 doubles, seven home runs, 43 RBI, and 20 stolen bases.

Miller, a first-timer on the All-Mideast Region Team, has been a versatile performer on the mound for the Scots, winning seven of his eight starts and earning a save in 5-of-6 opportunities. The right-hander entered as a reliever eight other times for 22 total appearances, and overall, is 10-1 with the five saves, a 2.76 ERA, and 69 strikeouts in 78.1 innings pitched. His 10 wins are tied for fourth in Div. III, and he's also part of a tie for 36th in saves. Similar to McDowell, Miller has played a pivotal role in Wooster's postseason run, having gone 2-0 with three saves, a 2.57 ERA, and 20 strikeouts during 28.0 innings of the regional and conference tournaments.

Groezinger, the team's clean-up hitter who has started 24 games at designated hitter, 19 at first base, and five in right field, has a batting average just under .400 (.394), to go with 18 doubles, 11 home runs, and 68 RBI for his first all-region honor. The power threat ranks among the top-50 in the country in RBI (tied for eighth) and doubles (tied for 35th), despite the opposition often trying to pitch around him as he has collected 29 walks. That has helped propel Groezinger's on-base percentage to .498, which leads the team, as does his .718 slugging percentage.

Having reached the finals of the NCAA Div. III Baseball Championship, Wooster is one of eight teams playing for the national championship. The double-elimination tournament, taking place at Fox Cities Stadium near Appleton, Wis., is scheduled to start Friday, May 22, and run through Tuesday, May 26. The Scots and Carthage College (36-7) will kickoff the event Friday at 10 a.m. Central Standard Time.