Rose-Hulman’s Michael Matsui Named All-Mideast Region Pitcher of the Year by ABCA
May 23, 2008
GREENWOOD , IN – Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Michael Matsui (Joliet, Ill./ Plainfield South) and Derek Eitel (Marshall, Ill./H.S.) have been named First Team All-Mideast Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). The duo helped the Engineers earn a bid to the NCAA Regional this spring.
Matsui, a senior pitcher for the Engineers, earned Mid-East Region Pitcher of the Year honors after posting a 2.08 ERA and a 10-2 record on the hill for Rose. He worked 78 innings and struck out 56 of his opponents, allowing a .254 average to his opposition. Matsui was named to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference first team.
Eitel, a sophomore pitcher for RHIT, was first team Mid-East Region for his 2.39 ERA and 9-3 record this season. The sophomore struck out 84 batters and held his opponents to a .199 average in 98 innings of work. He was a First Team All-HCAC selection as well in 2008.
College of Mount St. Joseph’s Nick Weimer (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills) and Franklin College’s Joel Chrobak (La Porte, Ind./H.S.) and Andy Clark (Louisville, Ky./Seneca) earned a selection on the ABCA All-Mideast Region Second Team.
Weimer, a junior second baseman, hit .381 in 2008 with four runs, 48 RBI, 16 doubles, four triples, and four home runs. He was named to the All-HCAC Second Team.
Chrobak, a junior outfielder, batted a team-best .371 with 33 runs, 43 RBI, 14 doubles, two triples, and seven home runs. He earned First Team All-HCAC honors this season as well.
Clark, a senior pitcher for Franklin, earned a 9-2 record and 3.49 ERA on the hill for the Grizzlies. The senior right hander struck out 85 batters in 77.1 innings of work, earning First Team All-HCAC accolades.
Weimer led the Mount to a 24-18 mark this season and the regular season HCAC championship, while Chrobak and Clark led Franklin to a 24-16 record and a second place finish in the conference championship race.
Rose-Hulman’s Keenan Long (Park Ridge, Ill./Northwestern Uni.), Chandler Kent (Antioch, Ill./H.S.), and Tim Tepe (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) and Mount St. Joseph’s Ben Stroube (North Bend, Ohio/St. Xavier) and Steve Matre (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) have been named to the ABCA All-Mideast Region Honorable Mention Team.
Long, a sophomore catcher for the Engineers, helped Rose to a 32-15 overall record in 2008. He finished the season hitting .386 with 49 RBI, 15 doubles, and eight home runs, earning a spot on the All-HCAC First Team.
Kent , a sophomore third baseman for Rose-Hulman, guided his team to a spot in the NCAA Division III Mid-East Regional. The sophomore batted .378 with 35 runs scored, 29 RBI, 13 doubles, and a home run. He was an All-HCAC First Team selection.
Tepe, the Engineers’ sophomore shortstop, hit .380 with 39 runs and 50 RBI. He had 20 doubles and three home runs in 2008 as well. The sophomore was an All-HCAC First Team selection.
Stroube, a freshman outfielder for the Mount, helped lead the Lions offense with a .388 average at the plate. He was named HCAC Freshman of the Year after scoring 27 runs and adding 17 doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 24 RBI.
Matre, a sophomore pitcher for the Lions, was named HCAC Player of the Year for his efforts on the mound this season. The sophomore earned a 0.64 ERA and recorded 10 saves this season. He struck out 37 batters in 28 innings of relief.
Sixteen players earned ABCA first team recognition and they will now be forwarded for All-American consideration.