ASUN All-Conference Teams (PDF)
MACON, Ga. – Head coach
Mike Sansing has been unanimously named 2016 Coach of the Year honors for leading the Kennesaw State baseball team to their first regular season title in program history, while six Owls were tabbed postseason awards, the Atlantic Sun Conference announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Among Coach Sansing, junior pitcher
Gabe Friese, senior catcher
Brennan Morgan, sophomore first baseman
Austin Upshaw, junior outfielder
Corey Greeson and sophomore designated hitter
Griffin Helms were tabbed to the All-Conference Second Team, while freshman shortstop
David Chabut has been named to the All-Freshman Team.
For Sansing, who is in his 25
th season at the helm of the KSU baseball program, the skipper adds yet another accolade to his wall of trophies. The skipper, who won his 1,000
th career game in 2015, led the Owls to a 29-25 overall record and a conference-best 17-4 mark in 2016, guiding the Owls to their first regular season title in program history.
"I've always believed good players make good coaches and we've had this year, for sure. I am proud of the way our guys have battled this year and in conference play," Sansing said. They are a bunch of blue-collared guys and got after it."
Sansing led KSU to seven consecutive conference series victories, marking the first time an ASUN team won each series in the regular season since 2010 (FGCU), and marked the first time in program history Kennesaw State won each series.
Under his guidance, the Owls tabbed five members to the All-Conference Second Team and one member to the All-Freshman Team.
"I think all those guys had really good years for us, as well as other guys. It was truly a group effort and I was very excited for our conference to recognize them for having great years," Sansing said.
Starting Pitcher | Gabe Friese | Kennesaw, Ga.
Friese has been one of KSU's primary rotation guys, making 12 starts on the season, leading the Owls with an impressive 6-1 record –which led all starters in wins. The righty totaled a 4.14 ERA in 67.1 innings of work. Friese has struck out 58 batters while issuing just 21 batters, while opponents have hit .295 against him. In conference play, Friese is a perfect 4-0 with a 4.34 ERA in six starts. He has worked 37.1 innings, striking out 31 batters against ASUN opponents to earn All-Conference Second Team.
Catcher | Brennan Morgan | Peachtree City, Ga.
Morgan has been a key component for the Owls' success in 2016, starting in 37 of his 42 games played this season behind the dish. Morgan ranks fourth on the roster in batting average (.331), going 45-for-136 at the plate. He compiled 10 doubles, which ranks second on the team and also ranks second on the team with six home runs. The right-handed hitter has compiled a team-high 38 RBI, while slugging .537 and has totaled a .460 on-base percentage. Since April 2, Morgan has totaled at least one hit in every ballgame except two contest since April 2, 2016, proving to be one of the most clutch hitters in the Owls' lineup.
First Base | Austin Upshaw | Buford, Ga.
Upshaw, who is in his first season with the Owls, has been a vital piece to the Owls' offense in 2016. The left-handed hitter batted .337 (68-for-202) overall, compiling a team-high 68 hits, ranks second with 10 doubles, one triple and first on the team with seven home runs. The sophomore ranks second on the team with 35 RBI and has totaled a .505 slugging percentage. In ASUN action, Upshaw is batting an incredible .395 (32-for-81) with a team-high six doubles, and ranks second on the team with 20 RBI. Defensively, Upshaw recorded just four errors on the season and has totaled 435 put outs, 31 assists and a .992 fielding percentage. In ASUN play, Ushaw has recorded just two errors at first base, helping him to earn a spot on the All-Conference Second Team.
Outfield | Corey Greeson | Calhoun, Ga.
Greeson has been one of many anchors for the potent offensive lineup for the Owls. The switch-hitting junior has compiled an overall batting average of .361 (56-for-155) – which ranks second on the team. Greeson also leads the team in doubles (10) and ranks third in total hits (56) and third in home runs (five), knocking in 29 RBI on the season. . His .361/.421/.535 slash line is one of the best on the Owls roster. In conference action, Greeson has batted an impressive .388 with 33 hits, seven doubles, one triple and a home run, driving in 13 runs. He was tabbed to the All-Conference Second Team as an outfielder.
Designated Hitter | Griffin Helms | Norcross, Ga.
Helms helped pace the Owls' offense, batting in an impressive .384 (38-for-99) mainly as a designated hitter – and led the team in batting average. Helms also ranked fourth on the team in home runs (4), while compiling two doubles and 23 RBI. He also totaled a .525 slugging percentage and a .458 on-base percentage. In ASUN play, Helms batted .400 (18-45) with 18 hits, two doubles and three home runs, knocking in 13 runs, helping him earn a spot on the All-Conference Second Team as a designated hitter.
Shortstop | David Chabut | Loganville, Ga.
Chabut was tabbed to the All-Freshman Team after starting in 35 of his 45 games played this season at shortstop. Chabut batted .300 (36-for-120) in the regular season, compiling seven doubles and 21 RBI – which ranks first on the team among freshman. The right-handed hitter batted .279 in conference action, totaling 17 hits, two doubles and 10 RBI. Defensively in the ASUN, Chabut has just six errors on 34 putouts and 44 assists, owning a .929 fielding percentage.
Kennesaw State will turn back around and travel to Nashville as the No. 1 seed in the 2016 ASUN Championships. The Owls won their first regular season title in program history after posting an impressive 17-4 mark in conference play. KSU won all seven ASUN series in 2016, marking the first time that has happened since 2010 (FGCU) and is the first regular season championship under head coach
Mike Sansing since the Owls turned D-I in 2006.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State baseball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsBaseball or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
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