KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The 2016 version of the Western Michigan baseball has made its mark on the WMU record book, and we still have the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament to go.
The Broncos finished the season 18-31 overall, 11-13 in the MAC and went 7-5 when playing at their home field. WMU won four of its final MAC series to end the season and will enter the tournament as the No. 7 seed, setting the team up with a matchup against Ball State on Wednesday, May 25 at 1 p.m. Under head coach Billy Gernon, WMU has made the MAC Tournament in five of his six years and only two teams in the MAC have been to the tournament more times in that stint. The Broncos finished 10th in the nation in fielding percentage and were at No. 1 for two straight weeks.
Here's a list of how the Broncos changed the record book this season.
Junior Keegan Akin
· Set single season strikeout record, passing Pat Misch's record of 99 set in 2001 (113)
· Moved into third place all-time in career strikeouts (250)
· Move into fifth place all-time in career innings pitched (260.2)
Akin also finished No. 8 in the nation in strikeouts and No. 13 in ERA.
Junior Grant Miller
· 19-game hit streak is the fourth best in WMU history
· Set career record for most times hit by pitch (41)
Senior Hunter Prince
· Tied for 10th in career doubles (38)
Junior Kyle Mallwitz
· Set single season appearances record (30)
Sophomore Jacob Piechota
· Tied for fifth most wins in a single season (9)
· Tied for the fifth most appearances in a single season (25)
Senior Derek Schneider
· Fourth most appearances in a career (75)
· Tied Thurman Holmes for 14th most strikeouts in a career (168)
The Bronco baseball team along with family members and loved ones got together on Sunday to celebrate the team's accomplishments and hand out awards to the team. Those award winners are listed below.
Team Co-Most Valuable Players of the Year: Senior Hunter Prince and junior Grant Miller
Most Valuable Pitcher of the Year: Junior Keegan Akin
Co-Most Improved Players of the Year: Freshman Connor Smith & sophomore Jake Bartels
Defensive Player of the Year: Senior Mitchell Ho
Coaches Award: Junior Alex Goodwin
Follow the Broncos on Twitter @WMUBaseball for all updates about the team!
