» 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.