KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The All-MIAA Baseball team has been released, and nine Missouri Western Griffons find themselves among those honored.
Six MWSU position players and three pitchers made the All-MIAA team, with two second team selections, two third team picks and five on the honorable mentions. The entire Griffon outfield received All-MIAA distinction in some form and all but two infield positions were represented.
Banks Born – Second Team, Pitcher
The senior from Lee’s Summit, Missouri finished the 2015 season and his Griffon career with just one loss. This season, Born went 6-1, leading the team in wins. His 3.80 ERA was lowest among Griffon starters. Born pitched 68.2 innings over 14 appearances, 12 starts, and struck out 31 batters. Born leaves MWSU with a career, 13-1 record and 4.76 ERA, with 45 appearances and 20 starts.
Ryan Degner – Second Team, Outfield
Degner wrapped up his senior season batting .361 with 16 doubles, 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. It’s the second time Degner has been a second team All-MIAA performer, also earning first team All-Region and third team All-American honors in 2014. The Hillsboro, Oregon native batted .372 in his two-year career at MWSU with 32 doubles, 22 home runs and 92 RBIs.
Richard Peoples – Third Team, Relief Pitcher
Peoples makes his first All-MIAA team in his first season with the Griffons. The Crowder College transfer went 5-3 with six saves in 18 appearances. Peoples pitched 34.2 innings with a 1.82 ERA and 28 strikeouts. He was one of two Griffon pitchers to earn MIAA Pitcher of the Week this season.
Cody Childs – Third Team, Shortstop
An honorable mention selection in 2014, Childs leaves MWSU as a two-time All-MIAA pick. This season, the Troutdale, Oregon native, batted .331 with 17 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 42 RBIs. The senior shortstop recorded a .951 fielding percentage, committing 12 errors in 243 chances. Childs was charged with just six errors over a 43-game stretch.
A.J. Martinez – Honorable Mention, Pitcher
In his first season at MWSU after transferring from Monroe Junior College, the Egg Harbor, New Jersey native pitched 58 innings over 16 appearances, nine of them starts. He went 4-2 with a 4.19 ERA and one complete game. Pepoles struck out 44 batters, including a season-high seven versus Nebraska-Kearney on April 11.
Cosimo Cannella – Honorable Mention, First Base
Another newcomer to the Griffon lineup, Cannella earns All-MIAA honors after transferring from Des Moines Area Community College. The Schaumburg, Illinois native batted .337 with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 41 RBIs this season.
David Glaude – Honorable Mention, Third Base
One of five Griffon juniors to make the All-MIAA team this season, Glaude hit .345 with 14 doubles, 12 home runs and 44 RBIs. The Quebec City, Canada native had two, two home run games this season. The first coming at Fort Hays on April, 3 and the second at Southwest Baptist on April, 16.
Trevor LaHonta – Honorable Mention, Outfield
The senior outfielder becomes an All-MIAA selection for the first time. This season, the Walnut Creek, California native, batted .322 with seven doubles, three home runs and 25 RBIs. LaHonta started 50 games this season and 52 in 2014 and was a .324 career hitter for the Griffons over two seasons.
Orencio Fisher – Honorable Mention, Utility
After locking down an everyday spot in the Griffon lineup, the junior hit .359 and stole 21 bases in 24 attempts. The Maple Woods Community College transfer had two four-hit games this season and drove in 22 runs while scoring 37.
MWSU finished the 2015 season with a 29-21 overall record, finishing fourth in the MIAA with a 22-14 mark in conference play.
— MWSU Sports Information —