Grant Fink added another recognition to his ever-growing repertoire on Wednesday as the first team All-MIAA selection was among 40 players named as a semifinalist for the 2013 Tino Martinez Award.

The award is presented to the most outstanding player in DII college baseball. The annual honor is named after the former University of Tampa Spartan, United States Olympian, first round draft pick and MLB All-Star Tino Martinez.

Fink, a native of Spokane, Wash., currently sports the nation’s fifth highest slugging percentage at .731 and and tied the MWSU single season record for home runs in a season with 14. Fink is a First Team All-MIAA honors for the first time in his career after earning Second Team honors as a junior. Fink sits second on the team with a .409 batting average. He has 76 hits to go along with 40 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples and 51 RBI. Fink has a hit in 41 of the 50 games he has played in which included a 20 game hitting streak.He holds a .958 fielding percentage with 43 putouts, 93 assists and just six errors. He was also a Capitol One Academic All-District 7 First Team Selection.

There are 40 semifinalists with five players representing each of the eight NCAA Division II regions. In year’s past there were at least six players from each region; however the process has been modified slightly and this year each school has been limited to a single player advancing to the semifinal round.

Initial nominations for the award were made by baseball sports information contacts and media members. A panel of media, coaches and sports information officers will be polled to finalize the candidates. The group will once again vote on the finalists, with a fan Internet vote also contributing to the crowning of the winner.

The finalists are scheduled to be named on Monday, May 20th. The winner will be announced after the conclusion of the DII Baseball Championship held in Cary, May 25-June 1.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western senior outfielder Maegan Roemmich earned her second All-Region team by being selected to the Daktronics All-Central Region First Team. Last week she was named to the NFCA All-Central Region Second Team and was a First Team All-MIAA performer this past season. Junior pitcher Jackie Bishop was selected to the second team after being named to the First Team All-MIAA earlier this season.

Roemmich started all 54 games this season for the Griffons and batted a team-high .404 which puts her 4th in the MIAA. Roemmich scored 39 runs and had a team-high 65 hits in 2013. The senior finished the season with seven doubles and a career-high 11 home runs. She finished with 44 RBI and a .652 slug percentage. In the MIAA alone, she had a .464 batting average with eight home runs. She had a hit in 40 games this season and had a hit in 16 of her last 20. She is in the top 10 of multiple categories in MWSU history. Roemmich has played three different positions for the Griffons in her four years. She played third base her first two seasons before moving to the outfield. As a junior she played right field and this season she was moved to center field. Roemmich was a three time All-MIAA performer being named to the first team twice (2013, 2012) and second team once (2011). She finished her career with a .335 batting average with 212 hits, scored 122 runs and had 97 RBI. She also had 26 doubles and and 16 home runs.

Bishop finished the regular season among the best pitchers in all of Division II. Bishop helped the Griffons finish 3rd in the MIAA, thanks in large to her performance on the mound. Bishop had a 78 ERA, good for second in the league, and finished the year 21-8. The junior had 35 appearances on the mound and had 29 starts. Bishop also had three saves to go with her 21 wins. She gave up just 139 hits, 66 runs 55 walks on the season. In MIAA games, she went 12-4 and had a 1.39 ERA. Bishop is a three time First Team All-MIAA selection and was named 2011 MIAA Freshman of the Year and 2012 MIAA Pitcher of the Year. This past season she broke career record at MWSU for wins, strikeouts and appearances.

— MWSU Sports Information —

For just the second time in school history the Missouri Western baseball team has earned an NCAA Division II Playoff Apperance. The Griffons will be the #4 seed and will play the #3 seed Southern Arkansas Muleriders in Mankato, Minn.

There are 48 teams in the NCAA National Tournament with 20 atomatic bids and 28 at-large. The other schools in the Central Regional will be #1 Minnesota State – Mankato, #2 Central Missouri, #5 St. Cloud State and #6 Missouri Southern.

The Griffons are 40-10 on the season and won their first ever MIAA Regular Season Title finishing with a 28-5 record in MIAA play.

The Griffons also had the MIAA Coach of Year (Buzz Verduzco), Player of the Year (Michael Schulze) and Pitcher of the Year (Brandon Simmons).

The last and only time the Griffons made a regional appearance was in 2006. The Griffons went 1-2 defeating Central Missouri 16-8 and falling to Emporia State and Nebraska-Omaha.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team fell in the MIAA Championship 6-3 against the Missouri Southern Lions on Saturday afternoon. The Griffons had 10 hits and left 10 runners on base falling to 40-10 on the season. The Griffons will wait and see where they will be seeded in the NCAA National Tournament.

The Griffons got a strong pitching performance from Mark Sprekels as he held the Lions scoreless through 5.2 giving up just four hits. He left the game with a 2-0 lead.

Michael Schulze led off the game with a single and later scored on a Nate Ramler single giving MWSU the 1-0 lead. In the seventh the Griffons took a 2-0 lead when Jake Schrader reached on an error and later scored on a Kyle Simpson single. The single by Simpson gave him an MWSU single season record 60 RBI.

In the seventh the Lions had got four hits and three runs taking a 3-2 lead after seven. The score remained 3-2 until the top of the ninth when Shawn Egge tripled and scored on a Schulze single tying the score 3-3.

In the bottom of the ninth Logan Hollingsworth got the first two outs of the inning, but then three straight hits including Sam Ryan’s second homer of the day gave the Lions the 6-3 victory.

Hollingsworth went two innings in the loss. He falls to 5-2 on the season. Simpson led the Griffons going 3-for-5 in the game.

The Lions Drew Noble went the distance giving up 10 hits while striking out five. He improves to 7-3 with the win. Michael McCoy and Dallas Burke each had three hits as the Lions improve to 34-20 on the season.

The selection show will be Sunday, May 12th, the NCAA and WebStream Sports will be producing a Division II Baseball selection show. The show, which will air on NCAA.com at 10pm ET, will reveal the teams moving on to regional play.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team used a nine run third inning defeating the Missouri Southern Lions 12-2 in a run rule game. The Griffons forced a winner take all contest with the Lions which will start at 1:30 pm from Community America Ballpak. MWSU improved to 40-9 overall behind a complete game seven hitter from red-shirt freshman Kyle Kelly. He improves to 3-1 as he struck out four.

The Lions jumped on the board in the first when Michael McCoy walked and scored on a Sam Ryan single to left field. The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the third when the Griffons bats came alive.

The Griffons got eight hits and scored nine runs in the inning. The Griffons did everything right in the inning being aggressive on the bases and at the plate. Nate Ramler and Michael Schulze each had hits in the inning that plated two. After the third the Griffons led 9-1.

The Lions scored one in the fifth off a Sam Ryan homer but that would be it as the Griffons plated three more in the final three innings coming away with the victory.

The Griffons had 15 hits with Schulze and Simpson each getting three. Schulze, Bubba Dotson, Simpson, Ramler and Jimmy Smelcer all had two RBI. Dotson and Simpson tied the MWSU single season record for most RBI in a season as they both have 59. They tied the record which was held by Mike Musser (1982) and Justin Coffman (2005)

Payton Walker got the loss for the Lions going two innings giving up six hits and five earned runs. He falls to 6-5 on the season. Ryan and Nick Doughty each had two hits leading MSSU.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team advanced to the MIAA Championship game for the first time in school history with a 11-4 victory over the Pittsburg State Gorillas Friday.

With the victory the Griffons improve to 39-9 overall and will have to beat the Missouri Southern Lions twice on Saturday with the first game starting at 11:00 am from Community America Ballpark.

MWSU jumped all over the Gorillas scoring three runs in three of the first five innings. In the first Bubba Dotson and Grant Fink got RBI doubles while David Chew hit a sacrafice fly scoring Kyle Simpson.

In the third David Chew hit is fourth homer of the season giving Western the 6-0 lead. Chew scored three runs and had four RBI in the game. In the fifth inning the Griffons had four hits to score three runs which included a two RBI single by Shawn Egge giving the Griffons a 9-0 lead after five.

The Gorillas scored two runs in the sixth and two in the seventh cutting the Griffon lead to 9-4 after seven.

That be the closest Missouri Western would let Pitt State get as a Schulze double in the eighth gave the Griffons an 11-4 lead. Western pitching shut down the Gorillas the rest of the way advancing them to the title game.

Missouri Western had 14 hits in the contest with Fink going 4-for-4 with one run scored. Schulze had three hits while Spencer Shockley had two hits. Ethan Ward went all seven innings giving up 11 hits and four earned runs.

The Gorillas fall to 29-24 overall as they had 11 hits with Brad Foss going 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Cody Wren falls to 4-6 overall going 2.1 innings giving up six hits and six earned runs.

Saturday’s game against Missouri Southern will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ AM and on www.680kfeq.com.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team went scoreless in the final eight innings falling against Missouri Southern 4-3 in the MIAA Tournament.

Things started well for the Griffons in the first as Grant Fink tied the single season record for home runs sending his 14th homer into the bullpen in left field giving MWSU a 3-0 lead after the first inning.

The Lions scored two runs in each the second and third innings claiming the 4-3 lead. In the second Shaun Hoover double to left field scoring two Lions cutting the MWSU lead to 3-2. In the third the Lions tied the score on a single to right field by Nick Doughty. Sam Ryan scored an unearned run on a wild pitch giving the Lions the lead for good.

The Griffons got just seven hits in the final eight innings and left eight runners on base including one in the ninth. Michael Schulze, Fink and Spencer Shockley all had two hits for the Griffons. Jerad Hawkins falls to 6-1 going 6.1 innings giving up six hits and two earned runs.

The Lions improve to 33-19 and advance to the MIAA Championship game which will be played on Saturday, May 11 at 11:00 am. The Lions had seven hits with Tee Helsel and Doughty all getting two apiece. Ryan Bates threw 146 pitches in the complete game. He improved to 8-2 giving up 10 hits and striking out five including the final batter.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western senior outfielder Meagan Roemmich has been named to the NFCA Central Region Second team which was released Friday afternoon. This is the first time in her career that she has earned this honor. She was also a First Team All-MIAA selection this season.

Roemmich started all 54 games this season for the Griffons and batted a team-high .404. Roemmich scored 39 runs and had a team-high 65 hits in 2013. The senior finished the season with seven doubles and a career-high 11 home runs. She finished with 44 RBI and a .652 slug percentage. In the MIAA alone, she had a .464 batting average with eight home runs.

Roemmich has played three different positions for the Griffons in her four years. She played third base her first two seasons before moving to the outfield. As a junior she played right field and this season she was moved to center field. Roemmich was a three time All-MIAA performer being named to the first team twice (2013, 2012) and second team once (2011).  She finished her career with a .335 batting average with 212 hits, scored 122 runs and had 97 RBI. She also had 26 doubles and and 16 home runs.

The Griffons finished the 2013 season with a 38-16 overall record and finished third in the MIAA with 20-8 record.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team scored runs in the first four innings claiming a 9-3 victory over the Central Oklahoma Bronchos in the first round of the MIAA Baseball Championships.

The Griffons improve to 38-8 overall and broke the record for most victories in a season which was set back in 1974 (37). Also, with the victory head coach Buzz Verduzco won his 400th career game.

Western got on the board in the first inning when MIAA Player of the Year Michael Schulze double to right field and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Simpson. Schulze’s hit broke the record for most hits in a season. He now has 84 breaking Ryan Zenn’s record of 81 which was set back in 2006. Later in the inning Spencer Shockley singled up the middle scoring Nate Ramler giving MWSU the 2-0 lead after one.

In the second inning, the Griffons got three more runs when Bubba Dotson blasted his 13th homer of the season giving the Griffons a 5-0 lead after two.

In the fourth, Shawn Egge doubled in Jake Schrader and in the fourth Nate Ramler gave Missouri Western a 7-0 lead scoring on a wild pitch.

The Bronchos scored their only run in the sixth when Cameron Mavroulis doubled and scored on a Cesar Wong single cutting the Griffon lead to 7-1.

The Griffons got RBI singles by Egge and Schulze in the eighth giving MWSU a 9-1 lead before the Bronchos got two in the ninth on a Matt Johnson homer cutting the Western lead to 9-3. Logan Hollingsworth came into get the last out with the bases loaded to help MWSU advance.

MWSU’s Brandon Simmons went eight innings giving up just four hits while striking out five. He forced the Bronchos into two double plays and 11 ground outs. He improves to 11-0 on the season.

The Griffons had 12 hits in the game with Schulze getting three and Ramler and Egge each getting two.

Edgar Lopez got the loss going just 2.1 innings giving up eight hits and five earned runs. The Bronchos had eight hits with Wong going 3-for-3. UCO falls to 30-18 on the season.

Missouri Western will play Missouri Southern on Friday, May 10 at 11:00 am at Community America Ballpark and you can listen to the game on ESPN 1550 AM and 1550espn.com.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western baseball team had 10 players and a coach earn recognition from the MIAA for their accomplishments this season. Junior shortstop Michael Schulze was named Player of the Year, senior pitcher Brandon Simmons was named Pitcher of the Year and head coach Buzz Verduzco was named Coach of the Year.

The Griffons had five players selected to the First Team All-MIAA. Senior pitcher Brandon Simmons earned first team for the second time in his career. Senior second baseman Jimmy Smelcer, junior shortstop Michael Schulze, senior outfielder Bubba Dotson and senior third baseman Grant Fink all earned this honor for the first time in their careers.

Senior outfielder Kyle Simpson was the only Griffon on the second team while senior releif pitcher Logan Hollingsworth, junior catcher Jake Schrader, senior first baseman Spencer Shockley and senior utility player Nate Ramler were all named to the honorable mention team.

Head Coach Buzz Verduzco earned MIAA Coach of the Year for the first time in his career. Verduzco guided the Griffons to their first ever MIAA Regular Season Championship tying a school record with 37 wins. He also guided the Griffons to a MWSU record 17 game winning streak and to a 30 win season for the 7th time in his career. Verduzco is one win away from 400 in his career as he holds a 399-303 record in 14 seasons at MWSU. Verduzco’s team garnered its highest ranking in the baseball polls this season as they climbed to as high as 4th in the nation.

Brandon Simmons becomes the Griffons first ever MIAA Pitcher of the Year selection and earnes his second First Team All-MIAA honor. Simmons has been outstanding this season sitting with an unblemmished record at 10-0. Simmons has won 10 or more games twich and broke the MIAA and MWSU record for wins in a career. He currently has won 34 games. Simmons sits third in the MWSU record book in strikeouts with 221 and complete games with 19. On the season Simmons has started and appeared in 11 games with three complete games. He holds a 2.80 ERA in 64.1 innings pitched. He has given up just 20 earned runs with 45 strikeouts and 12 walks.

Michael Schulzes becomes the Griffons first ever MIAA Player of the Year and earns his first First Team All-MIAA honor. Schulze has been outstanding this season leading the Griffons with a .445 batting average which is secone in the MIAA and fourth in the nation. Schulze has played and started all 45 games for the Griffons this season. He has a hit in 42 of those 45 games and earlier this season he had a 21 game hitting streak. Schulze is tied for the MWSU single season record for hits with 81 and is one run scored away from tying the record of 64. Schulze leads the team with 63 runs scored and has stolen 16 bases. Schulze had 14 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 43 RBI and has struckout just 10 times in 182 at bats. Schulze was MIAA Hitter of the Week on March 19, 2013.

Jimmy Smelcer earns First Team All-MIAA honors for the first time in his career. Smelcer is hitting .351 with a slugging percentage of .500 and an on base percentage of .364. Smelcer has played in 42 games with 41 starts. He had 54 hits with 11, doubles, four home runs and 28 RBI. Smelcer had a 13 game hitting streak earlier this season.

Grant Fink earnes First Team All-MIAA honors for the first time in his career after earning Second Team honors a season ago. Fink finished the season second on the team with a .410 batting average. He leads the team with a .735 slugging percentage and 13 home runs. He has 68 hits to go along with 36 runs scored, 11 doubles, two triples and 49 RBI. Fink has a hit in 37 of the 45 games he has played in which included a 20 game hitting streak.

Bubba Dotson earnes First Team All-MIAA honors for the first time in his career after hitting .377 with 12 home runs. He hit three grand slams on the season and is second on the team in RBI with 53. Dotson is also second on the team in stolen bases with 11 and has hit 13 doubles and three triples. Dotson has 63 hits to go with 54 runs scored and a .707 slugging percentage. Dotson was named MIAA Hitter of the Week on March 12, 2013.

Kyle Simpson was selected to the All-MIAA Second Team for his performance this past season. Simpson leads the high powered Griffons with 56 RBI which is three away from tying a single season record. Simpson is hitting .382 with 66 hits, 13 doubles, one triple and four home runs. Simpson has struckout just 14 times in 173 at bats and has a hit in 34 of the 45 games he has played in. He had an 11 game hitting streak earlier this season and was name MIAA Hitter of the Week on February 19, 2013.

The Griffons return to action on Thursday, May 9 with an MIAA Tournament game against the University of Central Oklahoma at 11:00 am in Kansas City, Kan. The game is being played at Community America Ballpark.

Player of the Year: Michael Schulze, SS, Missouri Western
Pitcher of the Year: Brandon Simmons, P, Missouri Western
Freshman of the Year: Anthony Pacheco, OF, Nebraska-Kearney
Coach of the Year: Buzz Verduzco, Missouri Western

First Team
Starting Pitcher: Edgar Lopez, Sr., Central Oklahoma
Starting Pitcher: Matt Stalcup, Sr., Pittsburg State
Starting Pitcher: Brandon Simmons, Sr., Missouri Western
Relief Pitcher: Andrew Urban, Sr., Central Missouri
Catcher: Chase Graskewicz, Sr., Central Missouri
First Base: Mike Failoni, Jr., Lindenwood**
Second Base: Jimmy Smelcer, Sr., Missouri Western
Shortstop: Michael Schulze, Jr., Missouri Western**
Third Base: Grant Fink, Sr., Missouri Western**
Outfield: Cody Robinson, Jr., Northeastern State
Outfield: Kevin Gratza, Jr., Central Missouri
Outfield: Bubba Dotson, Sr., Missouri Western
Designated Hitter: Horace Johnson, Jr., Fort Hays State
Utility: Brian Wuest, Sr., Nebraska-Kearney
**= Unanimous Selection

Second Team
Starting Pitcher: Travis Higgs, Jr., Central Missouri
Starting Pitcher: Dakota McKaskle, Jr., Emporia State
Starting Pitcher: Brett Abell, Sr., Missouri Southern
Relief Pitcher: Trevor Walch, Sr., Northeastern State
Catcher: Sam Ryan, Sr., Missouri Southern
First Base: John Oropeza, Sr., Central Missouri
Second Base: Michael McCoy, Sr., Missouri Southern
Shortstop: Samuel Domingue, Sr., Central Missouri
Third Base: Eric Dawson, Sr., Emporia State
Outfield: Aaron Rea, Sr., Emporia State
Outfield: Kyle Simpson, Sr., Missouri Western
Outfield: Ryan Abernathy, Jr., Northwest Missouri
Designated Hitter: Eric McGlauflin, Jr., Northwest Missouri
Utility: Kyle Grieshaber, Sr., Central Missouri

Honorable Mention

Starting Pitcher – Ethan Sharp, Central Oklahoma; Tayler Davis, Fort Hays State; Ryan Bates, Missouri Southern; Payton Walker, Missouri Southern; Ryker Fox, Northwest Missouri; George Brandecker, Pittsburg State; Taylor Gentry, Washburn

Relief Pitcher – Jake Heissler, Central Missouri; Logan Hollingsworth, Missouri Western; Ryan McKay, Pittsburg State

Catcher – Mike Wilson, Lindenwood; Jake Schrader, Missouri Western; David Weber, Northeastern State; Jacoby Martin, Pittsburg State

First Base – Spencer Shockley, Missouri Western; Ryan Bilovesky, Pittsburg State; Paul Trenhaile, Truman

Second Base – Jon Cotter, Central Missouri; Blake Sturgeon, Emporia State; Chris Santoscoy, Fort Hays State; Landon Young, Southwest Baptist; Taylor Herrington, Washburn

Shortstop – Cesar Wong, Central Oklahoma; Nathan Pridle, Lindenwood; Kegan Knight, Northeastern State

Third Base – Matt Johnson, Central Oklahoma; Brad Foss, Pittsburg State

Outfield – Tyler Crabtree, Central Oklahoma; Jared Wright, Central Oklahoma; Brad Wilson, Central Missouri; Jordan Slade, Emporia State; Clayton Garland, Fort Hays State; Jordan Miller, Fort Hays State; Colby Shepherd, Lincoln; Wade Rothermich, Lindenwood; Will Wagner, Missouri Southern; Anthony Pacheco, Nebraska-Kearney; Kyle Singleton, Northeastern State; Tory Stoffregen, Pittsburg State; Ryan Ventura, Pittsburg State; Corban Williams, Truman; Parker Gibson, Washburn

Designated Hitter – Matt Malloy, Central Oklahoma

Utility – Ryan Busboom, Fort Hays State; Dallas Burke, Missouri Southern; Nate Ramler, Missouri Western; Blake Marino, Truman

— MWSU Sports Information —