22 May 2002

Gilfillan, Pasulka, Zier Earn Top Titan Baseball Honors

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Junior Ryan Gilfillan is a repeat selection as the "Most Valuable Player" and senior Ben Pasulka and junior Erik Zier share the "Most Valuable Pitcher" honor for the Illinois Wesleyan baseball team.

The Titans, who were 10^th in the preseason American Baseball Coaches Association Division III poll, finished with a 25-15 overall record and were 17-4 in winning the regular season College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title.

Gilfillan a second baseman from Peoria (Notre Dame HS), led the team with a .366 average, 53 hits, 40 runs batted in, 34 runs, and 18 doubles. With a season left in his college career, Gilfillan is already IWU's all-time leader in doubles (51) and his 178 hits is just 33 hits behind the career leader, Aaron Koehlhoeffer, who had 211 hits from 1995-98.

Pasulka (Chicago, Loyola Academy), had a deceiving 3-4 record with a team-best earned run average of 2.12. He struck out 53 and walked only 16 in 72 1/3 innings and tossed three complete games and a shutout.

The left-handed Zier (Lockport HS) had an 8-2 record with a 3.28 ERA and fanned 53 in 60 1/3 innings. Zier had two shutouts, including the first no-hitter at IWU since 1982 when he blanked Wheaton, 8-0, on March 30.

Junior catcher Chris Kaufman (Normal, West HS) and sophomore Rob Blumberg (Freeburg HS) earned the team's "Most Improved Player" honor and junior Jeremy Hunt (Champaign, Centennial HS) was tabbed as the "Best Defensive Player."

Kaufman batted .272 with seven doubles, 12 RBI and scored 25 runs while Blumberg hit .208 with four doubles and gave IWU steady defensive play at shortstop.

Hunt, a first team all-conference player, made just one error in 81 chances in centerfield and posted a .336 batting average with seven doubles, 34 runs batted in, 32 runs scored, and a team-high three triples. After three seasons, Hunt is sixth in career runs scored (116), ninth in hits (157) and sixth in doubles (35). Hunt is also third in stolen bases with 49, only four behind school career leaders Kevin Kyes (1972-75) and Eric Pfautsch (1969-71), each of whom pilfered 53 bases.

Freshman third baseman Mick Curran (Orland Park, Sandburg HS) received the "Top Newcomer" honor and sophomore Philip Brown (Lexington HS) earned the annual "Titan Award," which is given for hustle and competitive attitude.

Curran, a first team all-CCIW selection, batted .333 and was second on the team with 34 runs batted in, 49 hits, and a .517 slugging percentage. He had 10 doubles and tied Gilfillan for the team lead with five home runs.

Head coach Dennis Martel, whose 15-year record is 361-239-3 (.601), awarded letters to 23 players. They are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS - Justin Cripe (Crystal Lake, South HS); Matt Fehland (Herscher HS); Ben Pasulka (Chicago, Loyola Academy).

JUNIORS - Steve Brook (Chicago Heights, Homewood-Flossmoor HS); Kent Devine (Oak Forest HS), Ryan Gilfillan (Peoria, Notre Dame HS); Jeremy Hunt (Champaign, Centennial HS); Chris Kaufman (Normal, West HS); Mike Mazzone (Carol Stream, Glenbard North HS); Scott Schiller (McHenry, Johnsburg HS); Steve Schilsky (Springfield, Sacred Heart Griffin); Eric Zier (Lockport HS).

SOPHOMORES - Ryan Balogh (Wood Dale, Fenton HS); Rich Berthold (Elk Grove, Conant HS); Rob Blumberg (Freeburg HS); Andy Brandt (Atlanta, Stanford Olympia HS); Nick Heinz (McHenry HS); Chuck Nelson (Elk Grove Village, Conant HS); Jason Trotter (Macon, Meridian HS).

FRESHMEN - Mick Curran (Orland Park, Sandburg HS); Jason Shearn (Wheeling, Buffalo Grove HS); Mitch Nowicki (Naperville, Central HS).
 

MEDIA CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, (309) 556-3206