With just a dozen or more games left in the College World Series, most of the national statistics rankings will stay the same.

Coach Chris Olean's Tommies closed 34-7 for an .829 winning percentage, sixth best in D-III.

St. Thomas ranked second in fielding percentage at .976 and had the fewest errors in the country with 31.

Tommie pitchers ranked 14th with its staff earned-run average of 2.83. They ranked 13th in fewest walks and hits allowed per innings pitched (1.22); eighth in strikeouts recorded per nine innings (8.30); and nine in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.97).

On offense, St. Thomas ranked fourth in batting average (.347); seventh in home runs (30); third in slugging percentage (.518); and 16th in triples (16).

Individually, Ben Podobinski was 33rd in batting average (.419); Tim Kuzniar was 27th in slugging percentage; Dylan Thomas was 29th in strikeouts per nine innings (9.76) and 21st in strikeout-to-walk ratio (60 to 9).

Coach John Tschida's team finished 41-7 and ranked eighth in winning percentage (.854).  

St. Thomas batted .355 to rank 10th, and also ranked eighth in slugging percentage (.518) and 17th home runs per game (42 in 48 games).

UST pitchers finished 11th in earned-run average (1.54).  

Junior catcher Emily Gregory finished in the top 20 nationally in three offensive categories in 2013. Gregory and teammate Jenna Hoffman tied for 19th in home runs with 12. Gregory also tied for fifth in RBI with 59. Gregory also struck out just three times in 163 plate appearances (47 games) to rank in the top 20. She had only one error in 192 defensive chances to rank among the national leaders.

Hoffman was a catalyst from her leadoff position. The Tommies were 20-1 when Hoffman had two or more hits in games this season.

Senior Taylor Berg advanced to Saturday's 12-person finals in the 1,500 meters as she took second in her heat.

The Tommies also advanced in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. The 4x100 quartet of Mallory Burnham, Emily Van Heel, Christina Rozeske and Erika Tipp clocked 47.35 for the fifth-best time among the nine moving on to the finals. The 4x400 team of Angela Tipp, Erika Tipp, Kayla Goeman and Van Heel clocked 3:46.37 to break a school record set in the prelims at the 2012 NCAA meet. The previous record holders were the Tipp twins, Van Heel and Larissa Peyton.

The Tommie women will compete in five Saturday events -- Van Heel in the triple jump, 4x100 and 4x400; and Berg in the 1,500 and 5,000.

The Tommie men have two athletes in the decathlon. at the midway point, with five events complete, Maxwell Dunne is 11th with 3,408 points and Gavin Yseth is 13th with 3,279.

The Tommie men will have two athletes competing Friday -- Cody Jerabek in the 100 dash prelims and Eyo Ekpo in the high jump.

Click here to see meet results:

http://results.deltatiming.com/track/2013-ncaa-d3-outdoor-championships

For the men, senior Eyo Ekpo is seeded seventh in Saturday's triple jump and 14th in Friday's high jump, with season bests of 48-5 1-4 and 6-9; UST has two entrants in the Thursday's decathlon -- senior Gavin Yseth is seeded fifth, while senior Maxwell Dunne is 13th; junior Cody Jerabek is seeded 16th in Friday's 100 meters with a season best of 10.71.

For the women, senior Taylor Berg is seeded fifth in Thursday's 1,500 prelims and first in Saturday's 5,000, with season bests of 4:28 and 16:34; UST junior Emily Van Heel is seeded 20th in Saturday's triple jump with a season best of 38-3 1-4. Van Heel will also compete in Thursday's 4x100 and 4x400 relay prelims with junior Mallory Burnham, junior Christina Rozeske and sophomore Erika Tipp (4x100) and sophomores Angela and Erika Tipp and Kayla Goeman (4x400).

Click here to access live video from the NCAA Track and Field Championships:

http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule

Click here to access live results:

http://results.deltatiming.com/track/2013-ncaa-d3-outdoor-championships

Junior outfielder Tim Kuzniar was voted MIAC Player of the Year. Senior RHP Dylan Thomas repeated as MIAC Pitcher of the Year. Chris Olean repeated as MIAC Coach of the Year.

The trio helped the Tommies sweep the regular-season and playoff crowns and win 21 of 22 games against MIAC opponents along the way.

St. Thomas won the MIAC crown for the 11th consecutive season. Only three MIAC teams in any sport have a longer current championship streak: UST men’s indoor track and field (29); Gustavus men’s tennis (25); UST women’s indoor track and field (14).

Kuzniar and Thomas were joined by six teammates on the 27-player All-MIAC team. Other honorees included senior SS Jon Kinsel; three juniors, catcher J.D. Dorgan, 1B Tyler Peterson and RHP Steve Maher; and two sophomores, OF Ben Podobinski and RHP Colin Wendinger.

Kinsel (58-of-60 chances), Dorgan (144-of-144) and Podobinski (41-of-41, one assist) were among 10 players named to the MIAC All-Defensive Team.

Stat Leaders

St. Thomas dominated the 20-game MIAC stats in 2013 and led in virtually every team pitching, fielding and hitting category. They also led several individual stats:

--Kuzniar finished first in home runs (5), doubles (10), extra-base hits (16) and slugging percentage (.891)

--Peterson (.478, 33 hits) and Kuzniar (.469, 30 hits) finished 1-2 in batting average and hits

--Kuzniar (30) and Peterson (29) finished 1-2 in RBI

--Kinsel and Podobinski (27 each) shared first in runs scored, and Podobinski led in steals (16)

--Thomas finished tied for first in triples (3)

--Thomas recorded the most strikeouts among MIAC pitchers (32)

--Wendinger (0.00 in 20 innings) and Thomas (0.72 in 24 innings) went 1-2 in ERA

Notes

--In his last 17 games against conference opponents, Peterson hit .469 (30-of-64) with 26 RBI and 22 runs. He built a 20-game hitting streak.

--In his last 18 games against MIAC opponents, Kuzniar batted .484 (31-of-64) with 31 RBI and 18 runs and had an 11-game hitting streak.

--Thomas hit .415 in his last 14 games against MIAC foes (22-of-53) and reached base in 24 consecutive games in April and May.

--The Toms went 21-0 this season when Podobinski had a multi-hit game. In his last 10 games against MIAC teams he batted .459 (17-of-37) with 10 steals and 14 runs.

--Kinsel reached base in his last 29 consecutive games and had 16 multiple-hit games. After a 5-for-19 start to the season, he batted .421 thereafter.

--Wendinger finished the season with a 30-inning scoreless streak and an overall ERA of 1.83.

Links

Click here to see MIAC news release:

http://www.miac-online.org/news/2013/5/14/BSB_0514133035.aspx

20-Game MIAC Stats:

http://www.miacstats.com/sports/bsb/2012-13/teams/stthomasminn?sort=avg&view=lineup&pos=h&r=1

All-Game Stats for MIAC Teams:

http://www.miacstats.com/sports/bsb/2012-13/teams?sort=name&r=1&pos=h

Thomas made third-team All-America as a utility player for his dual roles as pitcher and designated hitter.

St. Thomas Baseball had two others named honorable mention All-America -- senior SS Jon Kinsel and junior OF Tim Kuzniar.

Thomas finished 7-2 with a 2.11 ERA in 13 appearances with 60 strikeouts and just nine walks in 55.1 innings. He allowed just three earned runs in his last 34 innings this season.

At the plate, he batted .355 with 38 hits, 28 RBI and 27 runs in 34 games. He had three triples and five home runs and also walked 17 times. He reached base in 26 consecutive games late in the season.

The Lakeville North High graduate played two seasons at Des Moines Area Community College before transferring to St. Thomas in fall 2011. In 2012, he led St. Thomas to a third-place NCAA finish. At the plate, Thomas batted .361 over his last 29 games in the lineup with 39 hits, 13 walks, 33 RBI, six HRs and 23 runs. On the mound he went 8-0 with an 0.98 ERA in his last 11 appearances, including a complete-game win over eventual NCAA champ Marietta at the College World Series, his third postseason victory.

In his two UST seasons, Thomas finished 15-4 with four saves and a 2.19 ERA, with 134 strikeouts and just 31 walks in 131 innings (29 appearances). At the plate, he hit .357 (.630 slugging percentage) with 77 hits in 66 games, with 61 RBI, 50 runs, 30 walks 11 HRs, 16 doubles and five triples. He was named Region Player of the Year in 2012 and Region Pitcher of the Year in 2013, and MIAC Pitcher of the Year in both 2012 and 2013.

Kuzniar hit .387 and drove in 44 runs in 41 games. He had 96 total bases for a .696 slugging percentage, including 17 doubles, three triples and six home runs. In 131 career games, Kuzniar has 154 hits.

Kinsel batted .398 with 53 hits, 39 runs, 30 RBI, 18 walks and 11 steals. He had only four errors in 142 defensive chances at shortstop. He reached base in each of the last 29 games of the season. Kinsel started the last 92 games of his career.

St. Thomas finished 34-7 and was ranked in the top 10 nationally throughout the season. That included a 21-1 run against MIAC opponents and the program's 11th consecutive conference crown. Coach Chris Olean swept Coach of the Year honors in the MIAC and Midwest Region.

Click here to view d3baseball All-America teams:

http://www.d3baseball.com/awards/all-americans/d3baseball-allamericans-2013

Univ. of St. Thomas Coach John Tschida's Camp of Champs 

Baseball & Softball Summer Instructional League

Baseball Rookie League – Minors

WHO: Boys currently in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades for 2012-13 school year 

WHEN: 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Mondays & Wednesdays:  
June 17, 19, 24, 26, July 1-5=No Camp, resume July 8, 10, 15, 17

July 17th=Championship Day/ Picnic/ Contests Championship Day and the session will meet at 9:15 a.m. and go until noon. Championship Day includes contests and prizes (Fastest Runners, Strongest Arms, Most Accurate Throw, Longest Throw, HR Contest and Games and a Picnic with Hot Dogs, Pop, and Cookies)

Baseball Rookie League – Majors

WHO: Boys currently in 5th, 6th and 7th grades for 2012-13 school year 
WHEN: 9:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 
June 18, 20, 25, 27, July 2-5, no camp... resume July 9, 11, 16, 18,

July 18th=Championship Day/ Picnic/ Contests 
Championship Day and the session will meet at 9:15 a.m. and go until noon. Championship Day includes contests and prizes (Fastest Runners, Strongest Arms, Most Accurate Throw, Longest Throw, HR Contest and Games and a Picnic with Hot Dogs, Pop, and Cookies)

Softball: A League of Their Own

WHO: Girls currently in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades for 2012-13 school year 
WHEN: 1:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. A League of Their Own 

Mondays & Wednesdays:  
June 17, 19, 24, 26, July 1-5 no camp... resume July 8, 10, 15, 17

July 17th=Championship Day/ Picnic/ Contests Championship & Picnic Day which includes contests, picnic & prizes 
  
LEAGUE FORMATS: 
• A Learning/ Instructional league that stresses fun, good attitudes and fundamentals -– in that order. 
• All games played at Ford Little League Fields, 845 Cleveland Ave. S (corner of S. Cleveland and Montreal) 
• Our goal is to keep 12 players or under to a team 
• All play every position each day and rotate in order from inning to inning 
• Use pitching machines and occasionally coach pitch with safety balls (promotes offense and gives a lot of action for fielders) 
• Instruction every day on a different fundamental with college coaches and players 
• Fundamental topics include: pitching, base running, hitting, fielding, throwing, situations, outfield play, infield play) 
• Fee is $190 for the summer which includes a jersey, hat. 
• Prizes and awards are given throughout the summer

Applicants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register by filling out the application below and mailing it with a $190 check to:

Cheetah’s Championship Softball & Baseball, Inc.

C/O John Tschida,

406 Duke Street

St. Paul, MN 55102.

Registration

Make checks payable to:  Cheetah’s Championship Softball & Baseball, Inc. If you have any questions or concerns, please call John Tschida at 651-962-5922. Those who sign up will get a confirmation by e-mail.

UST Coach John Tschida’s      SUMMER BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL “CAMP OF CHAMPS”

First Name __________________ Last Name _________________________________

Address __________________________City ____________________State _______

Zip Code _____________ Grade for 2012-13________Youth T-Shirt Size____________

Minors: AM_______ PM _______Majors _________ A League of Their Own _________

Parent or Guardian Name(s)_________________________

Email address _______________________________________   

Day Phone _______________________Home Phone______________________________

Insurance Company: ___________________ Policy Number: _________________________

I request that my son or daughter be on the same team as:_____________________ 

Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver

To the best of my knowledge, my son/ daughter is in good physical condition and fully able to participate in baseball/ softball. I have been informed and I am fully aware of the risks and hazards connected with the playing the sport and participating in the camp, including physical injury or even death, and hereby elect to voluntarily participate in baseball/ softball, knowing that the associated physical activity may be hazardous to me and my property.  I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY RISKS OR LOSS, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR PERSONAL INJURY, INCLUDING DEATH, that may be sustained by my son or daughter, or loss or damage to property owned by me or my son/ daughter, as a result of participating in baseball/ softball camp.

I am exercising my own free choice to have my son/ daughter participate in baseball/ softball camp, and promise to have him/ her take due care during her participation in the camp.  I hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the University of St. Thomas, Cheetah’s Championship Softball & Baseball, Inc. and its officers, trustees, servants, agents, students, and employees, and any other persons or entities acting on their behalf, and the successors and assigns for any and all of the aforementioned persons and entities (hereinafter referred to as RELEASEES) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions and causes of action whatsoever, whether presently known or unknown, either in law or in equity,  arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by my son/ daughter, or to any property belonging to him/ her, while participating in the “Camp of Champs”, except that this waiver and release shall not release the Releasees from liability for any intentional, willful or wanton acts of the Releasees.

It is my expressed intent that this waiver and release shall bind the members of my family, and heirs, assigns and personal representatives and shall be deemed as a RELEASE, WAIVER, DISCHARGE, and COVENANT NOT TO SUE the above named RELEASEES.  I hereby further agree that this Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver shall be constructed in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

In signing this release, I acknowledge and represent that I HAVE READ THIS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER, UNDERSTAND IT AND SIGN IT VOLUNTARILY as my own free act and deed; no oral representations, statements or inducements, apart from the foregoing written agreements have been made; and I EXECUTE THIS ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY WAIVER FOR FULL, ADEQUATE AND COMPLETE CONSIDERATION FULLY INTENDING TO BE BOUND BY SAME.

I, (printed name) _________________________, am the parent or legal guardian of the participant.  I have read and I understand the provisions of this document, I consent to the participant taking part in the activities described above, and I fully enter into and agree to the above Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver.

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian  1120534.1

Applicants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register by filling out the application below and mailing it with a $190 check to:

Cheetah’s Championship Softball & Baseball, Inc.

C/O John Tschida,  406 Duke Street,   St. Paul, MN 55102.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call John Tschida at 651-962-5922.

Those who sign up and get accepted into the clinic will get a confirmation by e-mail.

Hassel (SR-Bloomington, Ill.), who has a 3.57 grade-point average in Secondary Education, made the second team. She is among 45 total honorees from approximately 400 Division III programs. The average gpa for this year's softball team is 3.81.

Her inclusion gives Tommie softball 13 Academic All-Americas in the last 11 seasons.

A two-time, on-field All-America, Hassel is a first-time recipient of this elite academic honor, which is presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Nominees have to be a sophomore or higher with cumulative grade-point averages of 3.30 or better.

Hassell is St. Thomas' first Capital One Academic All-America honoree so far in 2012-13. St. Thomas has had at least one Academic All-America in each of the last 14 years. UST has received the AAA award 79 times, including 56 times in the last 12 years (11 different sports).

Dynamic Player

Hassel helped Tommie softball to a 41-7 final record, a region runner-up finish, and a top-10 national ranking. The season included a 25-0 run against conference opponents, a 28-game winning streak and the program’s 10th consecutive NCAA playoff trip.

Hassel closed her career with a .400 batting average and 187 hits in 170 games, including 70 hits this year and 145 over the last two seasons. She added 126 runs, 93 RBI, 37 walks, 24 doubles, seven triples, nine HRs, 42 of 50 in steals and 252 total bases on her career.

In 2013 stats, she had 49 runs, 32 RBI, 17 walks, 10 doubles, two triples and one home run while batting .449. She had a 19-game hitting streak end last Sunday in the season-ending loss to Central as she went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt. She hit .517 (30-of-58) with runners in scoring position.

In her four-year era at St. Thomas, Hassel helped record a 160-30 won-loss record (98-3 vs. MIAC opponents), including three 40-win seasons. Her teams went 4-for-4 in MIAC regular-season and 4-for-4 in conference playoff championships. The Toms made four NCAA regional playoff trips.

Hassel was named MIAC Player of the Year as a junior in 2012 and was a two-time All-MIAC and All-Region honoree. She started all 94 games the last two seasons.

After having no softball All-Americans in the program’s first 20 years, St. Thomas players have won the elite honor 23 times in the last 11 seasons under Coach John Tschida's leadership.

Click here for CoSIDA news release:

http://www.cosida.com/media/documents/2013/5/2013AAADIIISBALLTeam.pdf

Kappers will replace Tony Lawrence, a three-year assistant and former All-America player at UST. Lawrence is relocating his wife and children to Seattle for his new business position with Amazon.

"Tony will be missed.," Boeser said. "He was a big part of our teams success the last three seasons. This move presents a great opportunity for Tony and his family."

Kappers was a four-year letter winner and a captain as a senior in 2010-11. He just finished his second year of studies at St. Thomas' Law School.

"He will have many responsibilities, the most important one being in charge of our all game video," Boeser said. "I know Andrew is very exited about this opportunity, and we are all exited to have Andrew back with such an active role in the St. Thomas hockey community."

Tommie men's hockey has won back-to-back MIAC Championships under Boeser, who replaced longtime head coach Terry Skrypek in spring 2010.

PHOTOS: Top, Andrew Kappers; below, Tony Lawrence

Chris Olean was voted Midwest Region Coach of the Year, and senior All-America Dylan Thomas was voted Region Pitcher of the Year.  

Thomas joined five teammates who were among 12 MIAC players and 42 total honorees on one of three All-Region teams:

--Thomas (utility), senior 2B Jon Kinsel and junior OF Tim Kuzniar were honored on the first team;

--junior catcher J.D. Dorgan was selected for the second team;

--senior RHP Mark Dominik and sophomore OF Ben Podobinski were honored on the third team.

In his four seasons, Olean has guided the Tommies to four NCAA regional playoff berths, four conference championships and one World Series, with an overall won-loss record of 138-44. That includes a 22-13 postseason record.

2013 Stats

Thomas finished 7-2 with a 2.11 ERA in 13 appearances with 60 strikeouts and just nine walks in 55.1 innings. He allowed just three earned runs in his last 34 innings this season. At the plate, he batted .355 with 38 hits, 28 RBI and 27 runs in 34 games. He had three triples and five home runs and also walked 17 times. He reached base in 26 consecutive games late in the season.

Kuzniar hit .387 and drove in 44 runs in 41 games. He had 96 total bases for a .696 slugging percentage, including 17 doubles, three triples and six home runs. In 131 career games, Kuzniar has 154 hits.

Kinsel batted .398 with 53 hits, 39 runs, 30 RBI, 18 walks and 11 steals. He had only four errors in 142 defensive chances at shortstop. He reached base in each of the last 29 games of the season. Kinsel started the last 92 games of his career.

Dorgan batted .365 with 50 hits in 41 games with 40 runs, 40 RBI and seven HRs. He had only two errors in 299 chances in the field. In 132 games, he has 146 hits, including 16 home runs.

Podobinski led the Tommies in batting (.422), runs (48), hits (62) and stolen bases (26). He had no errors in 85 chances in the outfield and threw out two runners on the bases from center field. He has 119 hits, 88 runs and 42 steals in 85 career games.

Dominik went 3-0 this season with two saves and a 1.45 ERA in 13 relief appearances. He had 31 strikeouts to just 13 walks in 31 innings.

St. Thomas finished 34-7 and was ranked in the top 10 nationally throughout the season. That included a 21-1 run against MIAC opponents.