TUCSON, Ariz. --- Moravian College seniors Matt Hanson, Ryan Luke and Colin Case and junior Mike Roethke have been named NCAA Division III Players to Watch in 2015 by Collegiate Baseball magazine.
It is an honor for our kids to be recognized for awards like this," commented Head Coach Paul Engelhardt. "It speaks volumes about the level of play that they have contributed to our team and program. More importantly it shows that our team has been doing well. Each of these four kids would be the first to put the emphasis on the team. Receiving individual awards, whether it be preseason or post, says more about the caliber of your team than anything. When you have multiple guys being recognized, more likely than not, you have a team that is doing well. I feel all four are deserving, but also feel that there are other kids just as good on our team, and none are more special than the other. It's a team sport. It takes the other 30 guys on the team to play at a high level for these four to be recognized."
The quartet anchors a squad that returns 22 players including seven of eight starters in the field and three starters on the mound in 2015. The Greyhounds had one of the best seasons in school history in last spring when the squad won a school-record 32 games, was nationally-ranked for the first time in school history, defeated four nationally-ranked opponents including two in the top 10, was the top ranked team in the Mid-Atlantic Region by the NCAA and earned an at-large berth and top seed in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional hosted by Misericordia at PNC Field in Moosic.
Hanson, a three-year starter in right field, is a returning All-American for the Greyhounds and has also been selected as a First Team Preseason All-American by D3baseball.com. A year ago, Hanson hit .408 with 62 hits, 10 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 38 RBIs, 53 runs, 25 walks and 13 stolen bases. He was named the Landmark Conference, the ECAC Division III South and D3baseball.com Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year.
"Matt is one of the best players we saw all year," Engelhardt said. "His work outside of the playing season demonstrates what it takes to be successful. He is a great leader and these awards will do nothing but make him work harder to live up to them. That is just the kind of kid he is."
Luke, a two-year starter at third base, earned Landmark All-Conference First Team honors and a spot on the America Baseball Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic All-Region Second Team in 2014. He posted a .367 batting average to go along with 62 hits, 38 runs, a team-high 16 doubles, four triples, 39 RBIs, 19 walks and 13 stolen bases.
"There isn't a more competitive kid that I've seen than Ryan," explained Engelhardt. "His ability to play third base and his offensive stats put him in this category. Ryan hasn't come close to reaching his full potential. But again, he is a kid that cares more about winning and the process than he does about his own stats. I have no doubt Ryan will have another great year for us, and help to lead us to lofty team goals."
Case, who will be entering his third year as Moravian's starting shortstop this spring, earned Landmark All-Conference First Team accolades, and he was named to ABCA/Rawlings Division III Mid-Atlantic Third Team last season. Case had a .327 average including 52 hits, 40 runs, six doubles, three triples, a homer, 25 RBIs, 12 walks and eight stolen bases in 2014.
"I think Colin is the best defensive shortstop we saw all year," stated Engelhardt. "Colin makes plays other kids cannot make. Most of his errors come from routine balls that he has time to think about. When he has to go get it, there aren't many better. His performance last year was no shock to anyone that knew him. In fact, I think he hasn't come close to reaching the level of play he is capable of. He tries too hard sometimes. If he plays his game offensively, and lets the game come to him, his ceiling is much higher than he has shown."
Roethke will be entering his third season as the Greyhounds' starting catcher this spring, and he was on the Landmark All-Conference First Team as a sophomore. Last spring, Roethke threw out 19 of 56 base runners, and he collected 25 hits, 21 runs, five doubles and 10 RBIs at the plate.
"Mike is an outstanding defensive catcher," Engelhardt said. "At the college level, if you can't control the running game, you can't win. If you can't lead your pitchers, you can't win. Mike has been exceptional defensively since he got here. His offense is much better than he has shown to date. He works hard at all aspects of his game, but I know he will realize his offensive talent this year. He works hard, and his abilities behind the plate alone make him worthy of this honor."
Moravian opens its 2015 season on Saturday, February 21 with a game versus Guilford (N.C.) College at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.
