Posted by Scott Cummings - Fri, May 2, 2008 - [ Baseball ] - Viewed 230 times
Calvin O'Rear broke the Bearcats' single-season home run record on his way to AMC Player of the Year recognition
Calvin O'Rear broke the Bearcats' single-season home run record on his way to AMC Player of the Year recognition
(LEBANON, Ill., May 2)-The American Midwest Conference revealed its 2008 Baseball All-Conference team Friday at the conclusion of the AMC Tournament. The honors were voted upon by the coaches of the league's six baseball institutions.

McKendree University junior Calvin O'Rear, a first baseman from DuBois, Ill., was selected as the 2008 AMC Player of the Year. During the regular season, O'Rear posted a batting average of .368 with 22 home runs and 57 RBI. O'Rear led the AMC in home runs and runs batted in. The 22 home runs hit by O'Rear set a new McKendree season record, topping the old mark of 20 held by former three-time AMC Player of the Year Brian Dinkelman. In addition to his offensive prowess, O'Rear stole 23 bases in 25 attempts. O'Rear also picked up AMC Newcomer of the Year honors, which is given to the conference's top transfer player.

The 2008 AMC Baseball Pitcher of the Year is Cale Johnson of McKendree University. Johnson, a junior from Greenville, Ill., produced a record of 7-1 with an earned-run average of 3.99. He allowed 75 hits in 70 innings of work. Johnson allowed just nine walks with 36 strikeouts. Through the end of the 2008 regular season, Johnson has compiled a career record of 21-4 for the Bearcats.

Joe Huber of Harris-Stowe State University was named the 2008 AMC Freshman of the Year. Huber, an infielder from Washington, Mo., batted .322 with 12 RBI while moving into the Hornets' starting lineup at shortstop. Huber was 9-of-13 in stolen base attempts and scored 31 runs in 41 games played during his rookie season.

For the second consecutive year, Eddie Uschold of Missouri Baptist University has earned AMC Coach of the Year accolades. Now in his ninth season at Missouri Baptist, Uschold has developed the Spartans' program into one of the most successful at the NAIA level. Missouri Baptist posted a record of 34-14 during the 2008 regular season and claimed the AMC regular-season title by going 16-4 in league play.

Following is a list of the 2008 AMC Baseball All-Conference and honorable mention All-Conference team, along with the members of the 2008 AMC All-Defensive team:

2008 AMC FIRST-TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
1B – Calvin O'Rear, McKendree University
2B – Justin Koch, William Woods University
3B – Price Kendall, Missouri Baptist University
3B – Matt Wassall, Harris-Stowe State University
SS – Kyle Christiansen, William Woods University
IF – Scott Talbert, Missouri Baptist University
OF – Bino Thompson, Harris-Stowe State University
OF – Brandon Melliere, McKendree University
OF – Brandon Patek, Missouri Baptist University
OF – Joaby Sikes, Williams Baptist College
C – Jacob Myking, Missouri Baptist University
C – B.J. Underkofler, William Woods University
P – John Selb, Harris-Stowe State University
P – Cale Johnson, McKendree University
P – Matt Murray, Missouri Baptist University
P – Josh Goodin, William Woods University
RP – Clayton Dill, Missouri Baptist University

DH – Joel Johnson, Missouri Baptist University

2008 AMC HONORABLE MENTION ALL-CONFERENCE
Hannibal-LaGrange College
Thomas Vesely, Tyson Mulvaney, Jim Niemczyk, Tyler Martin

Harris-Stowe State University
Mike Luczak, Matt Sauve, Joe Huber, Dan Healey

McKendree University
Craig Session, Adam Davinroy, Todd Harpstrite, Tyler Muren, Rusty Parke, Tyler Mattmiller

Missouri Baptist University
Clint Massey, Francisco Vega, Aaron Byington, Blake Kearney, Derik Drewett

William Woods University
Luke Carver, Craig Moffett, A.J. Gould, Cody Morrow

Williams Baptist College
Andy Arnold


2008 AMC ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
1B – Tyson Mulvaney, Hannibal-LaGrange College
2B – Jim Niemczyk, Hannibal-LaGrange College
3B – Todd Harpstrite, McKendree University
SS – Brandon Crook, Williams Baptist College
LF – Ryan Dickerman, William Woods University
CF – Dan Healey, Harris-Stowe State University
RF – Brandon Patek, Missouri Baptist University
C – B.J. Underkofler, William Woods University
P – Cale Johnson, McKendree University