Frank Vance

Frank Vance was selected the North Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Tim Pettorini the NCAC Coach of the Year, and four College of Wooster teammates – Jake Fling, Michael Houdek, Jamie Lackner, and John McLain – joined Vance on the All-NCAC First Team, it was announced by the NCAC office on Tuesday.

In addition to that group, the Fighting Scots were represented by Hank Schlueter, who was voted second-team, and seniors Danny Reese and Ian Vernier, both of whom received honorable mention.

Vance, a senior third baseman, is the league leader in hits (81), doubles (24), and triples (8), while ranking fourth in batting average (.405), third in runs scored (56), tied for third in home runs (7), and second in RBI (57). With a mix of hitting for average and power, he had one of the best offensive seasons in Wooster's tradition-rich history, recording the second-most doubles, tying a record for triples, and tying for fifth in hits, despite not having the added benefit of NCAA Div. III Championship games.

Fling batted in the leadoff spot and patrolled centerfield as a freshman, a rare feat in itself for Wooster.  He succeeded in those roles, setting the table for Div. III's highest-scoring offense (10.7 rpg) by batting .367 with nine doubles, three triples, and a homer. Fling, who also reached base via 20 walks and 10 hit by pitches as part of a .455 on-base percentage, tops the NCAC in runs scored with 60 and rates 11th in average, third in hits (65), and tied for ninth in RBI (38).

Houdek had a breakout year as the sophomore southpaw developed into the Scots' ace after throwing 6.0 innings as a rookie. This spring, he toed the mound for 64.2 innings and leads the league in three major categories – ERA (2.64), wins (8), and strikeouts (49). Houdek, who ranks second in total innings pitched, held opponents to a .251 batting average during 10 starts plus four other appearances.

Lackner, Wooster's first baseman, excelled in the clean-up role, blasting 17 homers and driving in 69 runs – both far and away conference highs. In fact, the sophomore is the Div. III leader in both of those categories as well as total bases (143). Lackner doesn't just hit for power, going on a 20-for-28 tear (.714) over the last seven games to finish with a .420 average. That is second-highest in the conference, and he also ranks second in runs (59) and hits (74), tied for fourth in doubles (16), tied for third in walks (26), and second in    on-base percentage (.532).

McLain, a senior shortstop, played a significant role in the Scots' potent offensive attack as well, batting .347 with 14 doubles, five triples, six home runs, and 46 RBI, primarily out of the No. 5 hole. He also drew an NCAC-leading 35 walks, part of a .477 on-base percentage, and is among the league's top-five in a number of categories – fourth in runs scored (50), tied for fifth in hits (59), second in triples, tied for fifth in homers, fourth in RBI, and tied for fifth in stolen bases (15).

Schlueter solidified the pitching staff, as the junior left-hander regularly came out of the bullpen and typically succeeded in keeping Wooster ahead on the scoreboard. Overall, he appeared in 24 games – tied for the third-most in school history – and went 5-1 with a 4.14 ERA while eating up 45.2 innings. Schlueter struck out 45, fourth-most in the league, compared to 17 walks and the opposition hit .282.

Reese, a senior right-hander, quietly put together a solid season as one of the Scots' front-line starters. During 53.0 innings, which came over nine starts and six relief outings, he posted a 6-1 record, 5.94 ERA, and 31 strikeouts. The six wins currently ties for the third-most in the NCAC.

Vernier earned the starting catcher position for the first time and the senior provided standout defense – a .988 fielding percentage plus throwing out 8-of-22 base steals – and timely hitting – a .269 average, two doubles, two home runs, and 19 RBI.

Pettorini, now a 10-time winner of the NCAC Coach-of-the-Year award, guided a very inexperienced Wooster team to a 36-9 overall record and runner-up conference finish during the 2015 season. He now owns 1,100 career coaching victories (1,100-412-6) during a 34-year tenure, all with the Scots.