Heideman's Freshman of the Year honor highlights Baseball All-NACC awards
WAUKESHA, Wis. – Freshman Andrew Heideman was named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Freshman of the Year, highlighting five Falcons who earned all-league recognition. The awards were announced by the league office Thursday morning and voted on by the league's head coaches.
Heideman, who was also an All-NACC Second Team selection, finished third in the conference with a 1.59 ERA. The freshman right-hander struck out 36 batters in 51 innings and posted a 5-1 record, emerging as the Falcons ace once conference play started. Heideman allowed just 39 hits and walked only 11 during the season.
Heideman was joined on the Second Team by his battery mate, senior catcher Beau Burgert (Oshkosh, Wis.). Burgert, who also saw time at first base this season, had the best offensive campaign of his career, posting a .317 batting average. He drove in 22 runs and led the team with 11 doubles. Burgert also belted two home runs, both coming in NACC wins over Dominican and MSOE.
The Falcons were well represented on the All-Freshman Team as three players joined Heideman in Dylan Gausman (Eagan, Minn.), Bryan Thomas (Lowell, Ind.) and Matt Schubert (West Bend, Wis.).
Gausman, a right-handed pitcher, posted a 2.23 ERA in 32.1 innings on the mound. He allowed just eight earned runs this season and did not allow an earned run over 10-plus innings of action during the Falcons 12-game winning streak in mid-April. He struck out 20 batters and gave up just 34 hits.
Thomas played both catcher and outfield for the Falcons and settled into the leadoff spot in the order midway through the year. He batted .270 and scored 21 runs, wihle driving in 18. Thomas also led the team with 11 stolen bases.
Schubert filled a big need for the Falcons at shortstop and was outstanding after making the switch to the position in early April. The freshman hit .258 and scored 24 times, while hitting one home run and driving in 10.
NACC Champion Concordia University Chicago took home the other three major awards in addition to Heideman's All-Freshman honor. Carlos Olavarria was the Position Player of the Year, while Dan Kluss was named Pitcher of the Year. Adam Smith of CUC was voted as Coach of the Year by his peers.
Heideman, Burgert and the rest of the Falcons will open NACC Tournament play today at 1 p.m. at Kapco Park. The third-seeded Falcons will take on No. 4 Edgewood College.
