28 May 2002CLICK HERE for all-region teams
Zier Named First Team All-Region
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Illinois Wesleyan junior Eric Zier has been named to the first team of the NCAA Division III all-Central Region baseball squad, chosen by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Zier, a lefthanded pitcher from 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 second baseman Ryan Gilfillan (Peoria, Notre Dame HS) was chosen to the second team all-region squad and junior outfielder Jeremy Hunt (Champaign, Centennial HS) was a third team selection.
Gilfillan, a first team all-region choice and third team All-American a season ago, led IWU with a .366 average, 53 hits, 40 runs batted in, 34 runs, and 18 doubles. With one year left in college, Gilfillan is IWU's all-time leader in doubles (51) and his 178 hits is 33 behind the career leader, Aaron Koehlhoeffer, who had 211 hits from 1995-98.
Hunt hit .336 with seven doubles, 34 RBI, 32 runs, and three triples. After three seasons, Hunt is sixth in career runs scored (116), ninth in hits (157) and sixth in doubles (35). He is also third in stolen bases with 49, four behind IWU career leaders Kevin Kyes (1972-75) and Eric Pfautsch (1969-71), each of whom stole 53 bases.
First Team: Catcher - Ernie Jack, Augustana; First Base - Greg Torgerson, Wartburg; Second Base - Russ Lorenz, Aurora; Jude Burger, Wartburg; Third Base - Nick Beard, Buena Vista; Outfield - Mario Gianfortune, North Central; Bobby Glasser, Upper Iowa; Tony Coppola, Simpson; Pat McShechy, Webster; Designated Hitter - Jason Lensmeyer, Carthage; Pitcher - Josh Paddock, Aurora; Chris Goerdt, Wartburg; Adam Cowley, Washington; Eric Zier, Illinois Wesleyan.
Second Team: Catcher - Scott Rans, Knox; First Base - Luke Martin, Carthage; Second Base - Ryan Gilfillan, Illinois Wesleyan; Third Base - Kyle Bassett, Coe; Shortstop - Brian Dolewski, Aurora; Outfield - Tim Vinyard, Coe; Mike Vaughn, Webster; Dennis Jackson, Carthage; Reggie Crume, Washington; Designated Hitter - Brian Chalgren, Aurora; Pitcher - Uriel Quiles, Aurora; Brandon Roth, Carthage; Dan Grybash, Carthage; Brian Nendza, North Central.
Third Team: Catcher - Matt Mennings, Central; First Base - Jake Green, Illinois College; Second Base - Adam Walker, Simpson; Adam Husing, Carthage; Nate Iverson, Coe; Third Base - Mark Glover, Washington; Outfield - Travis Wirelenga, Buena Vista; Jason Smith, Aurora; Jeremy Hunt, Illinois Wesleyan; Dustin Deuring, Illinois College; Designated Hitter - Jason Morgan, North Park; Pitcher - Dan Lorum, Carthage; Dan Christiansen, Buena Vista; Nick Boeset, Cornell; Jason Brein, Augustana; Pat Smith, Wartburg.
MEDIA CONTACT: Stew Salowitz, 309-556-3206