2017 SLIAC All-Conference Baseball Team Announced

Matt Downs, Josh Fleming, Sam Huesgen, and Travis Ralls have been honored for their outstanding 2017 seasons, taking home St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference individual awards for baseball.

Travis Ralls is the 2017 SLIAC Baseball Player of the Year, marking the fourth time in program history a Panther has received the conference's top honor. Ralls, a catcher, was at the core of the Panthers offense this year. He led all conference players with a .476 average, finishing 3rd in runs batted in (27) and 7th in stolen bases (10). He also ranked in the top five during conference play in runs scored, hits, doubles, total bases, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.

The 2017 SLIAC Pitcher of the Year is Webster University's, Josh Fleming. Fleming, a junior, went 6-0 in seven starts against conference opponents this spring; holding a 0.37 earned-run average. Fleming also recorded 63 strikeouts in his 48.2 innings pitched and held conference opponents to a .170 batting average. Fleming led the conference in E.R.A. and ranked in the top five in wins, shutouts, strikeouts. He also currently leads all NCAA Division III in overall earned-run average with a 0.47 mark. He is the fourth Gorlok to win the award and the first since 2014.

This year's SLIAC Newcomer of the Year is from Westminster College, Sam Huesgen. Huesgen is just the second Blue Jay to win the award. Huesgen made nine starts during conference play, recording a 4-2 record with a 2.97earned run average. He recorded two shutouts and finished second in the league with 71 strikeouts. As a true freshman, he led all conference pitchers with 63.2 innings pitched.

Spalding University's Matt Downs is the 2017 SLIAC Coach of the Year. Downs led the Golden Eagles to a 16-6 conference record this season, tying for first place in the SLIAC East Division. Spalding was 26-14 overall during the regular season and are making their fourth appearance in the SLIAC Baseball Tournament. He is just the second coach from Spalding to receive the SLIAC Baseball Coach of the Year award.