Six Trojans earn postseason honors

Jayhawk Conference coaches selected Trojans pitcher Alex Cook as the western division Pitcher of the Year and chose him as a first-team Jayhawk Conference and Region VI Division I member. Sophomore Tyler McWillie was joined by freshmen John Vulcano and Jake Ticer for second team all-conference recognition. Honorable mention went to freshman Cleary Simpson and Brayden Cust, also a Gold Glove Team selection for his play in the outfield.

Cook posted an 11-1 record and led the region in wins, complete games (5), and strikeouts (118). The freshman from Bethlehem, Ga., threw a region-high 80.2 innings and topped the Jayhawk with a 2.68 ERA.

From Watrous, Saskatchewan, first baseman McWillie hit .375 with 12 homers and 41 runs batted in. His .492 on-base percentage and .781 slugging percentage ranked second on the team.

Vulcano posted 13 home runs and drove in 43. The Cloverdale, British Columbia, third baseman had 60 hits, and his .375 batting average was tied for third on the Trojans.

Ticer clubbed 22 home runs, good for second in the region and fourth nationally. The outfielder from Loveland, Colo., hit .381 and drove in 52 runs over 42 games. His .952 slugging percentage was the best in the region, and he was second with a .554 on-base percentage.

Second baseman Cleary tallied a steady .338 batting average with three home runs and 24 runs batted in. The Red Deer, Alberta, native had a 10-game hitting streak and ended the season hitting safely in six straight.

Gold glover Cust committed just one error in 104 chances. At the plate, the outfielder from Edmonton, Alberta, had a team-best 17 stolen bases and led CCC with 74 hits, including 16 doubles and four triples. He had two or more hits in 21 of his 51 games.

The Trojans finished the season 30-25 and advanced to the NJCAA Plains District semifinals.