Eye of the Tiger

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Princeton enjoyed a breakout season this spring, compiling a school record 21 wins before being upset by Bureau Valley in the regional finals at Manlius.

For their contributions to their team’s record-setting campaign, members of the Tigers comprise six of the 12 spots in the 2009 All-BCR baseball team.

Also featured on this year’s squad are the rest of the area’s top talent from Bureau Valley, Hall and St. Bede.

Reid Clary, junior catcher, Princeton: Clary swung a heavy stick for the Tigers this spring, leading the area in three separate batting categories. His batting average of .460 was nearly 50 points higher than the second finisher and his totals of 37 RBIs and 15 doubles led the area as well. The cleanup hitter for the Tigers, Clary could always be counted on to drive in runs, said PHS coach John Cruz. “It seems like every time we had people on base, he would come through with a clutch hit,” Cruz said.

Drew Compton, junior shortstop, Princeton: Compton, a first-team NCIC All-Conference selection, anchored the Tigers’ defense at the shortstop position. On the other side of the ball, Compton was an offensive force, hitting .376 with 20 RBIs, eight doubles and two home runs, and used his speed to swipe 14 bases this spring. Cruz said that Compton was able to overcome a slow start at the plate this spring and “came on strong” as the season progressed.

Wes Herrmann, senior pitcher/outfielder, Hall: Herrmann hit .330 with 16 RBIs and eight doubles, and tied for the area lead with three home runs for the Red Devils this season. On the mound, Herrmmann was equally effective, amassing a 3.05 ERA while holding opposing batters to an average of .222 as he compiled a record of 3-5. A first-team NCIC Lincoln selection, Herrmann will enter the collegiate ranks next year as a member of the IVCC baseball team. “He was very important for us everywhere, any way he could get involved, offensively and defensively,” said Hall coach Tom Keegan. “We’re looking forward to seeing him do good things at the next level.”

Nick Hueneburg, sophomore shortstop, St. Bede: Hueneburg, a first-team Tri-County all-conference selection, hit .425 for the Bruins this spring, and was the lynch pin in the Bruins defense at the shortstop position. “As a sophomore, Nick had a huge season for us, I haven’t had a young player do as much as he did in a long time,” said St. Bede coach John Bellino “He was one of the mainstays all year, and just an excellent player right now.”

John King, junior, Bureau Valley, outfielder/pitcher: King hit .369 for the Storm this spring with 31 hits, the most memorable being his three-run homer against Princeton that helped propel the Storm to their first regional title in school history. King, a first-team TRAC-8 All-Conference selection, put up some big power numbers at the plate with 33 RBIs, 11 doubles and two home runs. On the mound, King fought through arm injuries, and ended the year 0-6 with a 5.21 ERA, and tallied 33 strikeouts. “When he needed to come through, he did that for us,” said Storm skipper John Matlick. “He’s one of our most consistent hitters.”

Daniel Murray, senior utility/pitcher, Princeton: The Tiger’s 2009 team MVP, spent time at a myriad of positions, including pitcher this spring, playing wherever the team needed him. At the plate the second-team NCIC Lincon All-Conference selection hit .341 with 19 RBIs and two home runs. Once on base, Murray was a constant threat to advance, swiping an area-high 18 bases on 18 attempts. Setback with a sore arm for most of the season, Murray was 1-0 with a 5.56 ERA in 11 innings of work. “Daniel could play anywhere,” Cruz said. “He was like my all-around player.” He will play next for Aurora University.

Michael Murray, sophomore pitcher/outfielder, Princeton: Murray, who received an NCIC Lincoln All-Conference honorable mention nod, was the ace of the Tigers’ pitching staff, finishing the spring with a 6-2 record. The sophomore led the area with a 1.72 ERA and 54 strikeouts, and shared the Tigers’ best pitcher award with Brik Wedekind. The highlight of Murray’s pitching prowess came on May 14 when he picked up a no-hitter against Weathersfield-Annawan. Offensively, Murray hit .323 with 20 RBIs, 11 doubles, and a home run. “For a sophomore, I can’t say enough about Michael,” Cruz said. “I’m expecting big things out of him for the next two years.”

Brian Nolasco, senior infielder, Hall: Nolasco batted .411, second in the area, and finished the spring with 17 RBIs, 10 doubles and a home run. A first-team NCIC Lincoln All-Conference selection as an infielder, Nolasco will be taking his glove and bat to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where he will play football and baseball for the Kohawks starting this fall. “Brian’s bat has been a constant for him his whole career,” Keegan said. “He’s going to be one of those kids that they find a spot for at the college level out there at Coe. He’s going to continue to hit, I’m sure.”

Eric Ringle, infielder/pitcher, Bureau Valley senior: Ringle, a first-team TRAC-8 All-Conference selection, amassed a 5-1 record on the mound with 37 strikeouts and a 4.16 ERA. At the plate the senior registered a .287 average with five doubles and a home run for the Storm. “He did a nice job on the mound pitching for us,” Matlick said. Ringle retired Michael Murray for what Matlick said was “the biggest strikeout in school history,” to close out BV’s regional title win over Princeton.

David Sailer, sophomore pitcher/infielder, Princeton: On the mound, Sailer, an NCIC Lincoln second-team All-Conference selection, allowed only seven hits over 20 1/3 innings of work with a 2.41 ERA. At the plate, the sophomore slugger hit .341 with 20 RBIs. After originally being brought up to the varsity squad as a backup catcher, Sailer quickly settled into a starting role at second base for the Tigers. “He did outstanding at second base for a sophomore,” Cruz said.

Brik Wedekind, junior pitcher/infielder, Princeton: Wedekind, a second-team NCIC Lincoln All-Conference selection, amassed a 5-2 record on the mound this spring with an ERA of 3.88, and finished second in the area with 48 strikeouts. Wedekind, who split the Tigers’ award for top pitcher with Michael Murray, threw one of Princeton’s two no-hitters this spring when he held conference foe Hall hitless on May 5. Offensively, the junior hit .301 with 14 RBIs, four doubles and one home run. He led the Tigers by drawing 29 walks, and also swiped 14 bases. Cruz said that Wedekind was always ready to pitch in relief if the situation called for it, and had a great batting eye at the plate. “Brik did an outstanding job for us,” Cruz said.

Michael Weidner, junior catcher, Bureau Valley: Weidner, a first-team TRAC-8 All-Conference selection, hit .370 for the Storm this spring, with 23 RBIs, four doubles and led the area with three triples and swiped 16 bases. Equally at home at the plate or behind it, Weidner was the only member of the Storm to start every game at the same position. “Defensively, I think he’s as good a catcher as you’re going to find in the area,” said Matlick. “Offensively, when he gets on the base paths he’s dangerous.”

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