Hernandez Guides Trio to All-MCC Recognition
William Penn University Athletics
Oskaloosa–Three Statesmen baseball players were honored for superior 2011 seasons as the all-Midwest Collegiate Conference baseball teams were announced today.
Third baseman Jerry Hernandez (Sr., Moreno Valley, Calif., Chaffey CC) was named to the first team, while first baseman Kyle Humphrey (Sr., Boise, Idaho, Skagit Valley CC) and starting pitcher Darren Gay (Jr., El Cajon, Calif., San Diego Mesa CC) were honorable-mention picks.
A total of 17 players were named to the top squad, while an additional 20 earned honorable mentions.
The award is the second for Hernandez (two first-team nods), while Humphrey is also a second-time winner (first team in 2010). New to the league this spring, Gay is a first-time recipient.
Hernandez led the league in RBIs (42) and ranked high in other categories as well. A .364 hitter (56-for-154), the senior had 15 doubles, two home runs, and 31 runs scored. He also tied for the team lead with 21 walks and topped all Statesmen with four sacrifice flies. Hernandez posted a season-high 11-game hitting streak at one point.
Humphrey led William Penn in power production (team-best five home runs), but was also its best hitter for average at .366 (56-of-153). The senior managed 15 doubles, 37 RBIs, and 22 runs scored. He owned the longest hitting streak of anyone in the navy and gold–13 games.
In addition to ranking among the best in the MCC in numerous offensive areas, Humphrey was also one of its top fielders, earning MCC Gold Glove honors at first base. It is the second of his career as he posted a .995 clip with only two errors in 382 chances. Humphrey paced a Statesmen defense that tied the school record for team fielding percentage at .961.
Gay turned in easily the best pitching campaign of any William Penn hurler, going 4-3 with team bests in Earned Run Average (1.63), shutouts (3–1 complete, 2 shared), saves (3), innings pitched (66 1/3), strikeouts (43), and opponent batting average (.170).
Nearly untouchable during the league slate, opposition hit just .150 against the junior. In 13 total appearances this spring, Gay allowed no runs or one run nine times.
Brady Wathen of Grand View was tabbed as the MCC’s Player of the Year, while Jorge Martinez of Iowa Wesleyan received Pitcher of the Year laurels. Coach of the Year accolades went to IWC’s Brett Monaghan for the second year in a row.
Joining Humphrey on the Gold Glove team was junior second baseman Evelio Ahumada (Hacienda Heights, Calif., Citrus CC), who committed just nine mistakes in 201 chances for a .955 mark.
