May 23, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
With the 2007 baseball season now over for the Illinois State Redbirds, the team has announced their yearly awards, with junior third baseman Ryan Anetsberger and sophomore pitcher Jim Sajewich earning the top awards of player and pitcher of the year, respectively. Senior Matt Bolt, freshman Tyler McNeely and sophomore Mike Tokarski were also honored with awards, voted upon by their teammates and coaches.
Anetsberger earned the nod after being named a Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection at third base for the second season in a row. The junior from Wheaton, Ill., led the Redbirds with a .328 batting average overall and set a new career mark with five home runs. He also scored 32 runs while collecting 12 doubles, a triple and 20 walks.
Sajewich was equally effective out of the bullpen for the `Birds, as he posted a team-low 2.89 ERA in a team-high 27 appearances and was second on the team with three victories. The Wheaton, Ill., native's 2.89 ERA ranked ninth overall in the Valley heading into the conference tournament. In 53 innings pitched, the big right-hander allowed just 17 earned runs while striking out 32 batters and recording two saves.
Bolt finished his illustrious ISU career by being named the team's captain. The left-handed hitting slugger from Willow Springs, Ill., started all 52 games for the `Birds and set a new career-high with seven home runs in 2007. In four seasons with ISU, Bolt batted .294 with 229 hits, 19 home runs and 132 RBI while starting in 212 of his 213 career games played.
Named after former Redbird skipper Duffy Bass, who passed away earlier this year, McNeely was awarded the Coach Bass "Mr. Hustle" Award in his first season as a Redbird. The freshman from Normal, Ill., played in 17 games and earned eight starts in the field for ISU. He had five hits, a RBI and scored two runs in 33 at bats, but was 4-for-5 in stolen base attempts and recorded 14 putouts and three assists in his time in the outfield.
Rounding out the accolades, Tokarski was named as the team's Most Improved Player. The sophomore from Downers Grove, Ill., saw his playing time increase dramatically in his second season at ISU, as he played in 48 games with 34 starts in centerfield. He hit .261 with 30 hits, while stealing 10 bases and leading the team with three triples on the season and also played a stellar outfield, as he committed just two errors in 83 chances while recording 87 putouts.
The Redbirds will now take the summer off as a team, but many players will head to summer collegiate leagues to continue to play baseball. For information on the players' action this summer, stay tuned to GoRedbirds.com for player diaries and frequent statistical updates.
