May 14, 2007

RIPON, Wis. - Ripon achieved one of their team goals over the weekend, winning the Midwest Conference Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Monday, they received some individual accolades, as the MWC All-Conference teams were released by the conference office. The Red Hawks had four players named to the MWC North First Team, while two were selected to the second team. Senior Jordan Baitinger was tabbed MWC North Pitcher of the Year.

Joining Baitinger on the MWC North First Team was fellow pitcher Bryant Bednarek, catcher John Dunlavy, and second baseman Chad Olson. Baitinger was a rock on the mound for the Red Hawks, going 6-1 with a team-best 2.12 ERA. During the conference season, the Fremont, Wis. native, won all three of his decisions, while recording a 0.28 ERA in conference play. He also struck out 39 batters on the year, while walking just six. Bednarek was Ripon's top reliever this season, going 4-1 with two saves and an ERA of 2.23. He appeared in 15 games, striking out 17 batters. Dunlavy carried a big stick at the plate all season, leading the team in batting average (.355), home runs (4), RBI (33), total bases (65), and slugging percentage (.524). Olson meanwhile set the table for the Red Hawks all year, batting in the lead-off spot. The Brown Deer, Wis. native started all 34 games, while batting .348 with six doubles, two home runs, and 23 RBI. Olson led the team in runs (39), walks (23), on-base percentage (.449), and stolen bases (12).

The MWC North Second Team was highlighted by the selection of shortstop Kyle McFarland and outfielder Chevy Schultz. Both players started all 34 games for the Red Hawks. McFarland batted .298 with four doubles, two home runs, and 27 RBI. The Watertown, Wis. native also finished with eight stolen bases and 52 total bases. Schultz hit the ball hard all year, to the tune of a .331 batting average. The right fielder from Wausau, Wis. also finished with a team-high 13 doubles, to go along with a triple, a home run, and 26 RBI.