24 May 1999

CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, (309) 556-3206 or head coach Dennis Martel, (309) 556-3335

Fehland, Hanes MVPs for Titan Baseball Squad

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Adam Hanes and Matt Fehland have been selected as co-winners of the Illinois Wesleyan University baseball "Most Valuable Player" honor.

Hanes, a senior outfielder from Maroa (Maroa-Forsyth HS), batted .323 and led the team in hits (40), runs batted in (26), home runs (8), triples (3), and tied for the lead in steals (8).

In his career Hanes finished second in school records in hits (194) and runs (148), third in doubles (38), sixth in home runs (24), and seventh in runs batted in (110). Illinois Wesleyan's all-time leader in games played (160) and at bats (551), Hanes's career .352 average is 11th best ever at IWU.

Fehland, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Herscher (HS), led the Titans with a 5-4 record and a 2.22 earned run average. The all-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin choice struck out 72 batters, the second best single-season total at IWU. He pitched 56 2/3 innings and threw four complete games for the Titans, who finished 18-21 overall and won the CCIW South with a 10-8 mark.

Fehland was also chosen as the team's "Most Valuable Pitcher" and sophomore centerfielder Haneef Omar (Rockford, Guilford HS) earned IWU's "Best Defensive Player" award.

Omar made just two errors in 63 chances for a .968 fielding percentage.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher Tom Jambrosek (Chicago, Holy Cross) was the "Most Improved Player" while freshman first baseman Nate Kren (Joliet, Catholic HS) was tabbed as the "Top Newcomer."

Jambrosek had a 1-3 record, struck out 17 in 28 innings, and had a 2.89 earned run average, an improvement over his 8.16 ERA as a freshman.

Kren put together a solid first season, batting .257 with four doubles and 19 RBI.

For the second straight season, sophomore infielder Tony Merritt (Decatur, MacArthur HS) earned the team's "Titan Award," which is given for hustle and competitive attitude.

Martel awarded letters to 22 players, 17 of whom return for next season. The lettermen are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS - Chad Beaty (DeKalb HS), Brad Busing (Normal, Community HS), Adam Hanes (Maroa, Maroa-Forsyth HS), John Pasley (St. David, Lewistown HS), Cody Smith (Bloomington, Normal Community HS).

JUNIORS - Bill Cahoon (Elgin, Larkin HS), Jeff Clift (Manville, Streator Woodland HS), David Nazha (Arlington Heights, Hersey HS).

SOPHOMORES - Matt Fehland (Herscher HS), Tom Jambrosek (Chicago, Holy Cross), Tony Merritt (Decatur, MacArthur HS), Haneef Omar (Rockford, Guilford HS), Adam Palmer (Naperville, North HS), Chad Rock (Roberts, Paxton-Buckley-Loda HS), and Josh Ward (Lindenhurst, Carmel HS).

FRESHMEN - Justin DeBolt (Serena HS), Nate Kren (Joliet, Catholic HS), Ben Pasulka (Chicago, Loyola Academy), Greg Schonhoff (Darien, Hinsdale South), Jon Sikma (Momence HS), Rhett Stenzel (Channahon, Minooka HS), Bryan Thorson (Orland Park, Sandburg HS).