First-Teamer Arroyo Leads Five on All-Heart Teams
Oskaloosa–Five Statesmen baseball players garnered postseason recognition as the 2023 all-Heart of America Athletic Conference teams were announced Thursday.
Center fielder Abraham Arroyo (So., Camuy, P.R., Wellness and Recreation) was one of 17 players named to the first team, while first baseman Tim Jean (Sr., Libertyville, Ill., Public Accounting) and designated hitter Nick George (Jr., Sarina, Ontario, Sociology) were part of the 17-person second squad.
A total of 24 individuals earned honorable mentions, including second baseman Franklin Aparicio (Sr., Panama City, Panama, Business Management) and pitcher Brian Thomas (Jr., Shingle Springs, Calif., Sports Management).
The award is the second for Jean, while Arroyo, George, Aparicio, and Thomas are all first-time honorees.
The quintet have led the Statesmen to a 28-20 record (15-17 Heart) and a trip to the Heart Championship. The squad, which is the #7 seed in the tournament, won its first game Thursday over #8 seed Benedictine.
Arroyo is currently hitting .389 (61-for-157) with 10 doubles and team highs in triples (2), home runs (6), and RBIs (56); he has also scored 44 runs. He owns a .592 slugging clip and a .471 on-base mark that includes 20 walks and eight hit-by-pitches. The junior is also pacing the navy and gold with 13 stolen bases this spring.
Arroyo, who has 20 multi-hit games (thrice with three hits), has won one Heart Player of the Week award. The center fielder produced a 13-game hitting streak at one point in 2023.
Jean owns a .362 batting average (55-for-152) with 11 doubles, one triple, and one home run. Additionally, he has driven in 33 runs and scored 49 times, while posting slugging and on-base percentages of .467 and .471, respectively. The senior has a team-best 29 walks (four hit-by-pitches) on his resume as well.
Jean’s 14 multi-hit games include a four-hit performance against MidAmerica Nazarene on April 2. He tallied eight straight games with a base knock at one point.
George leads WPU in multiple categories, including batting average (.459, 62-for-135), doubles (13), slugging percentage (.615), and on-base percentage (.571). He has also recorded one triple, two home runs, 43 RBIs, and 38 runs, while walking on 24 occasions (11 hit-by-pitches).
The junior’s 17 multi-hit outings are highlighted by a five-hit game against Presentation on March 5. George once had an eight-game hitting streak this spring.
Aparicio is currently batting at .341 (58-for-170) with team highs in doubles (13) and triples (2), while producing four home runs, 35 RBIs, and a squad-best 51 runs scored. The senior owns a .512 slugging clip and a .425 on-base mark that includes 21 walks and six hit-by-pitches.
Aparicio has 12 multi-hit efforts, including six base knocks versus MidAmerica Nazarene on April 2.
Thomas is 9-3 this year with a 4.67 Earned Run Average. In 69 1/3 innings (13 appearances, 12 starts), the junior has struck out 88 batters against 32 walks. He owns four complete games and one save, while opponents are hitting just .233 against him.
The junior struck out a season-high 11 against Mount Mercy on April 28.
The right side of William Penn’s infield has been outstanding defensively as Aparicio and Jean also claimed Gold Glove recognition from the Heart. It is Jean’s second award.
In 272 chances, Jean has 251 putouts and 20 assists, while committing just one error (.996 clip). He has been a part of 30 double plays.
Aparicio has had 178 defensive chances and committed only two errors (.989 clip). He has tallied 97 assists, 79 putouts, and helped record 31 double plays.
Central Methodist swept the biggest league awards. Robbie Merced was named the Heart’s Player of the Year, while Alan West earned Pitcher of the Year laurels. Nate Breland was tabbed as Coach of the Year by his peers.
