The Latest in USM Sports News Jan. 25, 2012

Baseball excels in classroom University of Saint Mary Academic Vice President Dr. Bryan Le Beau announced the Fall 2011 Dean's Honor List, and 12 student-athletes represented the baseball program by having a 3.5 GPA or better. Overall, the University of Saint Mary baseball program accomplished a Fall 2011 team GPA of 3.1. Cade Brummer, Fr. (Lancaster, Calif.) Jesse Castro, Jr. (Leavenworth, Kan.) Michael Ferracuti, Jr. (Etobicoke Ontario, Canada)    Chris Haney, So. (Leavenworth, Kan.) Winston Hines, Sr. (Dodge City, Kan.) Devin Hupp, Sr. (Leavenworth, Kan.) Trevor Matifes, Jr. (Alton, Ill.) Dustin Maurer, Jr. (Spring Hill, Kan.) Cody McCary, Sr. (Redding, Calif.) Raymundo Osuna, Jr. (Iowa Park, Texas) Patrick Swain, Fr. (Strasburg, Colo.) Riley Veith, Fr. (Purdy, Mo.)

The Spires Baseball Team saw its season end last week in KCAC Championship Tournament play.  The USM Baseball squad opened the tournament with a win, beating Ottawa University 4-1 in the first round. Pitcher Evan Faulkner threw a one-run complete game to earn the victory. The Spires went on to lose to eventual tournament finalists Kansas Wesleyan and Tabor by scores of 16-3 and 4-0, respectively, in the double-elimination tournament. Top-ranked KWU went on to win it all. The win against Ottawa also marked a coaching milestone for USM Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Rob Miller, who recorded his 200th career victory. The KCAC also announced the all-conference baseball awards over the weekend. Spires to be honored with all-conference nods include:  -Devin Hupp, infielder, First Team All-Conference -Steven Maurin, shortstop, Honorable Mention All-Conference -Cody McCary, designated hitter, Honorable Mention All-Conference -Evan Faulkner, starting pitcher, Honorable Mention All-Conference Several Spires also earned KCAC Gold Glove Awards, including: -Travis Quick, catcher -Lucas Murphy, first base -Devin Hupp, third base -Josh Barnes, outfielder Baseball School Overall KCAC Kansas Wesleyan 34-15 21-7 Tabor 45-14 20-8 Sterling 28-25 20-8 USM 24-33 15-13 Ottawa 17-35 12-16 Friends 17-32-1 11-17 Bethany 17-34 11-17 McPherson 2-36 2-26

NEWS RELEASES

Nov.22, 2011
Saint Mary Picked Fourth in Pre-Season KCAC Baseball Poll
Leavenworth, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary Baseball program was picked fourth in the 2012 KCAC Pre-Season Baseball Coaches Poll. The Spires tied with Ottawa University in total points, but finished ahead due to receiving more fourth place votes. Saint Mary finished fourth in the KCAC conference in 2011 with a 15-13 record.
Tabor College was picked first with 59 points and four first place votes followed by Sterling College with 53 points and two first place votes. Kansas Wesleyan University was third with 52 points and two first place votes followed by Saint Mary and Ottawa University with 37 points. Rounding out the conference was Friends University with 25 points, Bethany College with 15 points, and McPherson College with 10 points to place eighth. 
Saint Mary opens its 2012 baseball Feb. 3 in Bethany, Okla., against Southern Nazarene University.

1. Tabor College                          59 Points (4)
2. Sterling College                      53 Points (2)
3. Kansas Wesleyan U.               52 Points (2)
4. U. of Saint Mary                   37 Points
5. Ottawa U.                               37 Points
6. Friends U.                               25 Points
7. Bethany College                     15 Points
8. McPherson College                 10 Points

August 24, 2011
2011 Saint Mary Alumni Game Announced
Leavenworth – The University of Saint Mary will hold 2011 baseball alumni game on Saturday, Sept. 24. The alumni will take batting practice at 10 a.m. with the first pitch of the doubleheader coming at 11:15 a.m. Following the games, there will be a barbecue at the Oak Kiln in right field for all alumni, current players, and parents. Please join us for the event, and if you have any questions contact assistant coach Michael Evans at (913) 758-6135 or Evansm@stmary.edu

Also, a tentative fall schedule has been announced for the Saint Mary program. At 11 a.m. on Sept. 11, Saint Mary will host the Urquhart All-Stars, a high school showcase team. Saint Mary will also host Kansas City Kansas Community College on Oct. 22 with the first pitch coming at 11 a.m. Please check back for additional dates and games.

June 09, 2011
University of Saint Mary Spires Baseball Players Earn NAIA Gold Glove, Scholar-Athlete Honors

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—Eight University of Saint Mary Spires baseball and softball players have won awards from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for the recently-completed 2011 baseball season, including a coveted Rawlings-NAIA Baseball Gold Glove for Josh Barnes of Easton, Kan.

The Rawlings-NAIA Gold Glove Team is selected by the NAIA-American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-American Selection Committee. Nine players are selected each year based on their fielding success. More >>

May 10, 2011
University of Saint Mary Spires Baseball Players Earn KCAC All-Conference & Gold Glove Awards

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—Seven University of Saint Mary Spires Baseball players have been honored by the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), earning designations to the KCAC’s      All-Conference teams and winning KCAC Gold Glove awards.

The USM Spires had a particularly strong showing in the conference’s Gold Glove awards—which recognize outstanding individual fielding performance—winning four of the nine possible nods.

The Saint Mary Gold Glove winners were:

• Travis Quick, a freshman catcher from Kansas City, Kan.
• Lucas Murphy, a senior first baseman from Overland Park, Kan.
• Devin Hupp, a junior third baseman from Leavenworth, Kan.
• and Josh Barnes, a senior outfield from Easton, Kan.

The Spires honored with All-Conference team designations were:

• Hupp, named First Team All-Conference as an extra infielder
• Steven Maurin, a senior from Kansas City, Kan., named as a shortstop to the KCAC’s Honorable Mention Team
• Cody McCary, a junior from Redding, Calif., named as a designated hitter to the KCAC’s Honorable Mention Team
• and Evan Faulkner, a senior from Osage City, Kan., named as a starting pitcher to the KCAC’s Honorable Mention Team

“I can’t say enough about the effort and dedication our players showed this season,” said USM Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Rob Miller. “Like an ideal Saint Mary student-athlete, they work hard both on and off the field.”

The Saint Mary Baseball Team qualified for the KCAC Championship Tournament as a four seed. The Spires won their first round game against No. 5 Ottawa University last week, before bowing out of the tournament with losses against eventual finalists Kansas Wesleyan University and Tabor College. The Spires finished the season with a 15-13 conference record and a 24-33 mark overall.

April 20, 2011
Saint Mary Downed by KU
Lawrence, KS – The University of Saint Mary took on Division I opponent the University of Kansas Jayhawks yesterday in in Lawrence, Kan. After a lead-off walk by Josh Barnes (SR., Leavenworth, Kan.), Devin Hupp (JR., Leavenworth) hit his fifth home run of the season to take an early 2-0 lead. The Jayhawks scored 9 unanswered runs before Kevin Joyce (SO., Denver) scored Cody McCary (Jr., Redding, CA) on a two-out RBI double in the 6th inning. The Spires added two more runs in the 7th inning, but couldn’t quite catch the Jayhawks. Joyce led the way, going 3 for 5 with an RBI while McCary and Stephen Maurin (Sr., Kansas City, Kan.) had two hits and an RBI apiece.
The Spires are back in action 1 p.m. Thursday, April 21, in Leavenworth against conference opponent Ottawa University and continue the series at 1 p.m. Saturday in Ottawa, Kan.

Saint Mary announced its Senior Day for Friday, April 29 against conference opponent Bethany College. The first pitch will come at 1 p.m. and the seven seniors will be honored in between games.

USM to Play KU Jayhawks
April 15, 2011

The University of Saint Mary baseball team will take on the University of Kansas Jayhawks on Tuesday, April 19. The Spires will travel to Hoglund Park in Lawrence, Kan., for a 6 p.m. start time.

March 12, 2011
University of Saint Mary Spires Baseball Player Earns KCAC Player of the Week Honors

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—USM senior Lucas Murphy has been named baseball position player of the week by the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) for his stellar play for the Saint Mary Spires over seven games last week.

Murphy, a first baseman out of Overland Park, Kan., went 10-for-22 from the plate last week—good for a .455 batting average—with three homers and 10 RBIs in games against Benedictine College, William Jewell College, and conference opponent McPherson College. He also stole two bases. USM went 5-2 in games Murphy played.

“I’m proud of Lucas, and couldn’t be happier with his performance last week,” said USM Head Baseball Coach and Athletic Director Rob Miller. “Lucas is an outstanding USM student-athlete. His work ethic is as good as it gets.”
The Spires are currently 13-26 overall on the season, with a 6-10 mark in KCAC play.

USM Baseball’s next KCAC match-up is at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Friends University.

Feb. 14, 2011
The University of Saint Mary has changed locations for its opening weekend series against Doane College (Neb.). Due to wet field conditions at Saint Mary, opening day will be moved this weekend to Lawrence Free State High School in Lawrence, Kan. Game times on Saturday and Sunday will remain the same as well as the scheduled doubleheaders both days.

The Lawrence Free State field is located at 4700 Overland Drive, Lawrence, Kan., 66049.
The Spires look to play their home opener the following weekend with the first pitch coming Saturday at 1 p.m. against Waldorf College (Iowa).

2011 Spring Break Trip Information
For the third consecutive year, the Spires Baseball Team will be making its annual spring break trip to Phoenix in March.

Here’s the schedule:
Game Information

Sunday, March 13	11 a.m.	Dickinson State (N.D.)	Snedigar Complex
	1:30 p.m.	Valley City (N.D.)	Snedigar Complex
Monday, March 14	12 p.m.	Minot State (S.D.)	Gene Autry Park
	2:30 p.m.	Minot State (S.D.)	Gene Autry Park
Tuesday, March 15	9 a.m	Dickinson State (N.D.)	Gene Autry Park
	11:30 a.m.	Dickinson State (N.D.)	Gene Autry Park

Field Information
          Gene Autry Park - 4125 East McKellips Road, Mesa, AZ 85215-2411
           Snedigar Complex - 4500 South Basha Road, Chandler, AZ 85248

Hotel Information
          Grace Inn, Ahwatukee
          10831 South 51st Street (Rte 10 & Elliott Rd.),
          Phoenix, AZ 85044
          (480) 214-1350

Nov. 30, 2010
2011 Revised Schedule Announced

The University of Saint Mary has released a revised schedule for the upcoming 2011 season. The Spires have added Division II opponent Rockhurst University to its schedule. The game will be held Wednesday, April 27, at 6 p.m. on the Rockhurst campus in Kansas City, Mo. The game will be the first against a Division II opponent since the Spires beat 22nd-ranked Missouri Western State University in 2004. The Spires will also play Division I opponent University of North Dakota in Lawrence, Kan., on Wednesday, March 9 at 3 p.m.

Nov. 03, 2010
2011 Spires Baseball Schedule Released

A tentative 2011 schedule for the University of Saint Mary baseball program has been released today by Head Baseball Coach Rob Miller.

The Spires look to rebound during the 2011 season and get back atop the KCAC Conference. The Spires have finished no lower than third in conference play six of the last seven seasons, and have played in the conference championship series four of the last six years.

The Spires will open the season at home on Saturday, Feb. 19, against Doane College. They have scheduled Division I opponent University of North Dakota for a March 9 game at University of Kansas’ Hoaglund Park. This season will also see the Spires traveling to Phoenix for Spring Break and opening conference play against defending KCAC Tournament champions Kansas Wesleyan.

The Spires are looking to add a few more games to the 2011 schedule so check back for further updates.

Aug. 24, 2010
2010 Fall Schedule Announced
The University of Saint Mary baseball program has announced the 2010 Fall Baseball schedule.

The Spires will play their annual Alumni game on Sept. 18, with the first game starting at 11 a.m. Game two will begin approximately 15 minutes after the conclusion of game one.

Following the doubleheader there will be a parent, player, and alumni BBQ courtesy of Big Q Barbeque of Kansas City, Kan.

The Spires will also play two official scrimmages against Kansas City, Kan., Community College and Johnson County Community College. Saint Mary will host KCKCC on Oct. 9 with the first pitch coming at 11 a.m. The Spires will play host to JCCC on Oct. 23 with a 10:30 a.m. start time. Both dates will be doubleheaders consisting of two nine-inning games.

Sept. 18 – 2010 Alumni Game – 11 a.m.
  Oct. 9 – Kansas City Kansas Community College – 11 a.m.
Oct. 23 – Johnson County Community College – 10:30 a.m.

July 14, 2010
Spires to Play in Ban Johnson All-Star Game

The University of Saint Mary will have three players and a coach representing the MSBL Royals in the upcoming 2010 Ban Johnson Collegiate League All-Star game.

Jesse Castro, Devin Hupp, and Stephen Maurin will all take the field as members of the “B” team in the summer league classic.

Castro, a sophomore centerfielder from Turner High School in Kansas City, Kan., is batting .300 and leads the summer league team in stolen bases and runs. He is second in hits.

Hupp, a junior utility player from Pleasant Ridge High in Leavenworth, Kan., is batting .310 and is second in hits and runs and third in RBIs. Hupp was also a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference all-conference second team 3rd baseman this past season for Saint Mary.

Maurin, a senior shortstop from Bishop Ward in Kansas City, Kan., is batting .333 and is second on the team in stolen bases and third in hits and RBIs. Maurin is also 1-1 with a 1.90 ERA as pitcher.

The Ban Johnson baseball league has been a Kansas City establishment for the past 80 summers. It consists of Division I & II NAIA and JUCO players from across the Kansas City metro area. Former major league players such as Royals Hall of Famer Frank White, Rick Sutcliff, and David Segui, along with many other major leaguers, have played in the Ban Johnson league.

Michael Evans, head coach of the MSBL Royals and assistant baseball coach at Saint Mary, will head the “B” team during the All-Star game. Evans led the MSBL Royals to the 2009 Ban Johnson league title, and this year’s squad sits at 16-7—good enough for first place.

The all-star game will be held Sunday, July 18, at Kaufman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals. Game time will be approximately two hours after the Royals-Athletics game which starts at 1:10 p.m.

Go to www.banjohnson.com for more information.

May 10, 2010
Two USM Spires Baseball Players Honored by KCAC

(Leavenworth, Kan.)— The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference named its All-Conference baseball teams this week, and two University of Saint Mary baseball players were among those honored for their performance on the field during the recently-completed 2010 baseball season. More >>

March 11, 2010
Saint Mary Adds Game Against KU
The University of Saint Mary baseball program has added a non-conference game against the University of Kansas for Tuesday, March 9th. The game will take place at Hoglund Park in Lawrence, KS with the first pitch coming at 3 p.m.

Feb. 15, 2010
Saint Mary Baseball Signs Two
The University of Saint Mary baseball program has announced the signing of two players for the 2010 recruiting class.

USM Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Rob Miller received commitments from pitcher Brian Ewy (5’11” 175 lbs.) from Staley High School in Kansas City, Mo., and pitcher Scott Witzel (5’10” 180 lbs.) from Legacy High School in Thornton, Colo. The two are the first in the 2010 recruiting class to sign with Saint Mary.

“I think the Saint Mary baseball program is getting two quality pitchers in Brian and Scott,” coach Miller said. “I like the poise and consistent mechanics Brian has shown on the mound as well as his drive to win. He is an All-Northland pitcher who has the ability to do some good things in our program and his biggest asset is his intelligence. I think he’s going to outsmart a lot of hitters into playing his game.

“Scott has a lot of upside in his ability. He plays for a quality program both during the school year and summer and I think that experience will help in his transition. His fastball runs up there pretty good and his off-speed pitch will make the difference in getting opponents out. I think he’s going to be a pretty good pitcher when it’s all said and done.”

Ewy plans to major in Psychology and Witzel plans a major in Criminal Justice.

Dec. 14, 2009
USM Holiday Hitting Camp
    The University of Saint Mary baseball program will hold two Holiday Hitting Camps in late December. The first camp will be held Dec. 21-23, and the second camp will be from Dec. 28-30. Camp counselors providing instruction will consist of Saint Mary coaches and current players. The focus of the camp will be on breaking down each individual’s swing while providing tips, drills, techniques, and video analysis on each player.

    The kindergarten through 6th grade session will be from 9 to 10:15 a.m. while the 7th through 12th grade session will be from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Both camps will be held in  McGilley Field House. The cost is $30 for either session or $50 for both sessions. Please make checks payable to USM Baseball.

    Contact Assistant Coach Michael Evans at (913) 758-6135 or Evansm@stmary.edu for more details or to reserve your spot.

Online brochure

Nov. 13, 2009
2009-10 Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll
(Wichita, Kan.)—The University of Saint Mary is ranked second in the KCAC pre-season coaches’ poll. The Spires, who finished 23-18 and in second place in the conference in 2009, will be led by a deep pitching staff and a solid core of young players.

	Team	KCAC Poll Points	National Poll
1.	Sterling College (6 first-place votes)	47 Points	TBD
2.	University of Saint Mary (KS) (1 first-place vote)	41
3.	Tabor College	32
4.	Friends University	23
5.	Kansas Wesleyan University	21
6.	Ottawa University	17
7.	Bethany College	15

The University of Saint Mary baseball program is entering its eleventh year. Over the past 10 seasons, Saint Mary has consistently grown into a competitive and well-respected program not only locally and regionally, but also nationally. Head Coach Rob Miller, now entering his eighth season, has continued to build a solid program through hard work and mental toughness. His teams have produced five winning seasons over the past five years, finishing no worst than third place in conference play. The team has also participated in four out of the last five conference championship games, and won the 2005 tournament. Likewise, the program has annually found a spot in the NAIA Region IV national rankings while playing top-level competition. Saint Mary produces top-regarded players regionally and nationally, with the team boasting an Honorable Mention All-American in 2007 and a First Team All-American in 2008.

Saint Mary plays in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and is affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Sept. 23, 2009
Six Spires, Coach Win Summer League Title
Saint Mary baseball continues its upward climb after six players and one coach helped lead the KC MSBL Royals to the 2009 Ban Johnson League Championship the MSBL Royals won the Championship Series with a 5-0 victory over UMB Bank on July 31. The clinching win finished a three-game sweep in the best-of-five series. After finishing 16-14 during the regular season and receiving the #6 seed out of 12 teams, the Royals went 7-0 in the playoffs for a perfect sweep.

Current players Stephen Maurin, Charlie Mildner, and Kevin DeVore along with 2009 graduates Dustin Smith, Ryan Reed, and Hogan Matson played for the MSBL Royals. Current Saint Mary Assistant Coach Michael Evans was the Head Coach of the Royals.

The Royals perfect run was aided by the performance of many of these players. Smith was named Championship Series MVP by leading the team with a .510 average, 5 RBI’s, and 4 runs. Matson and Reed contributed with a combined .417 average and 6 runs while Maurin was the winning pitcher in the clinching game. He finished with seven complete innings, three hits, no walks and no runs.

Coach Evans felt it was a great opportunity for these players, along with the players from other schools, to play on a championship team together.

“It was a great opportunity to coach these guys and continue to help them grow as ball players. Although summer ball is more relaxed, these guys showed up with the same intensity and desire to win that they do during school ball. They believed they were going to win (the championship) and worked hard to achieve their goal. It makes for an easy transition when you can coach your players during the summer.”
The Ban Johnson League, which has served as a summer league for college-aged players in the Kansas City area since the 1920s, has produced several players who have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including David Cone, Frank White, David Segui, Rick Sutcliffe, Bob Allison, Kevin Young, and Ray Sadecki.

The Ban Johnson is a highly competitive summer wood bat league that consists of players from NCAA Division I and II levels, NAIA, and JUCO.

July 06, 2009
Spires Shine in Summer League All-Star Game

Saint Mary baseball continues to shine, even in the offseason.

Dustin Smith, a USM infielder who graduated May 9, batted in the first run of the Ban Johnson League all-star game held at Kauffman Stadium Monday, July 6. The Ban Johnson League is a summer wood bat baseball league that draws many of the area's top college players. Ban Johnson alum include David Cone, Frank White, and Rick Sutcliffe.

At the All-Star exhibition, USM Assistant Baseball Coach Michael Evans led the B team to a 3-1 victory over the J team.

May 06, 2009
Spires Earn Post-Season Awards

(Leavenworth, Kan.)–Six players from USM's 23-18 baseball squad earned honors last weekend from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) for their play this season.

Dustin Smith (Sr., Olathe, Kan.) was selected to the KCAC First Team All-Conference squad for his stellar season-long play at second base. Smith led all KCAC second basemen in batting average, stolen bases, and fielding percentage, as well as finishing in the top two of many other categories.

Ryan Reed (Sr., Kansas City, Kan.) earned a spot on the KCAC Second-Team All-Conference squad as an outfielder for his steady play both at the plate and in the field.

Others receiving All-Conference recognition included pitchers Charlie Mildner (Jr., Leavenworth, Kan.) and Tim Martin (So., Chandler, Ariz.) for KCAC Honorable Mention.

The Spires dominated the KCAC Gold Glove Team, which honors the best fielder at each position. Saint Mary placed four players on the squad who led the conference in fielding at their respective position. Infielders selected were first basemen, Evan Reynolds (Sr., Overland Park, KS), second-basemen, Dustin Smith, and shortstop, Stephen Maurin (So., Kansas City, KS). Ryan Reed, an outfield selection, rounded out the Saint Mary representatives on the Gold Glove squad.

To view the full list of all these teams, go to www.kcacsports.com.

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