McKendree Rallies to Win AMC Postseason Tournament Title       

In a vote by league coaches, Justin Knolhoff, a second baseman for the Bearcats, has been chosen as the 2001 AMC Player of the Year. The senior from Centralia, Ill. appeared in 52 games during the regular season, recording a league-high .413 batting average. He tallied 81 hits in 196 at-bats, striking out only 12 times. He notched 16 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 47 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. In addition, he led the AMC in runs scored, crossing home plate 57 times during the regular season.

For the second consecutive season, John Frech, also a member of the McKendree squad, has been named the 2001 AMC Pitcher of the Year. Frech appeared in 14 games for the Bearcats during the regular season, pitching 72.1 innings and recording a mark of 10 wins and two losses. A native of Sparta, Ill., Frech faced 323 batters, striking out 59 and walking only 23. He posted an earned run average of 4.73, allowing 38 earned runs. In addition, he was perfect in the field, committing zero errors.

The AMC Newcomer of the Year honor is presented to the top transfer student-athlete in the AMC. Ryan Tribout, an outfielder for the Bearcats is the 2001 recipient of this award. During the regular season, Tribout, who is from New Baden, Ill., logged a batting average of .364, swatting 63 hits in 173 at-bats. He recorded 11 doubles, one triple and 50 RBIs. In addition, he made just two fielding errors in 52 games and swiped 12 bases.

Brad Drewes, a freshman pitcher for the Harris-Stowe State College Hornets, is the 2001 AMC Freshman of the Year. Drewes, who hails from St. Louis, Mo., pitched in 16 games in his rookie campaign, totaling a record of four wins, three losses and one save in 63.1 innings on the mound. He faced 315 batters, tallying 59 strikeouts and 27 walks. In addition, he committed zero fielding errors and recorded an ERA of 2.65, which was second in the AMC.

The 2001 AMC Coach of the Year for the second straight year is Jim Boehne from McKendree College. Boehne led the Bearcats to an overall regular season record of 40-12 and a league mark of 16-4. In four seasons at McKendree, Boehne has compiled a record of 154-64-1.

Player/Position

School

Brandon McKinnon, Outfielder

Hannibal-LaGrange College

Nick Wyman, Catcher

Hannibal-LaGrange College

Tim Dierkes, Catcher

Harris-Stowe State College

Brandon Ladd, Utility Infielder

Harris-Stowe State College

Eddie Breuchaud, Outfielder

McKendree College

Joel Cryder, First Baseman

McKendree College

John Frech, Pitcher

McKendree College

Dusty Kantner, Shortstop

McKendree College

Justin Knolhoff, Second Baseman

McKendree College

Brandon Musso, Pitcher

McKendree College

Ryan Tribout, Outfielder

McKendree College

Damon Burkhart, Utility Infielder

Missouri Baptist College

Aaron Garrett, Designated Hitter

Missouri Baptist College

Domminick Gruttadauria, Outfielder

Missouri Baptist College

Jan Ramos, Third Baseman

Missouri Baptist College

Zach Lamb, Pitcher

William Woods University

Doug Lorella, Utility Pitcher

William Woods University

David Box, Third Baseman

Williams Baptist College

Eric Newell, Outfielder

Williams Baptist College