By Scott Van Eman, SID Intern
May 15, 2003
Junior infielder Kyle Alberson, an early childhood education major from Berne, Indiana (South Adams High School), junior infielder Bob Heitkamp, a middle childhood education major from Fort Recovery (Fort Recovery High School) and senior infielder and pitcher Wes Hall, an early childhood education major from Huntsville (Indian Lake High School) have received All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference honors for the 2003 baseball season.
Alberson was Bluffton's most potent offensive threat this season, leading the Beavers in batting average (.404), runs scored (25), hits (36), homeruns (10), RBI's (30), and walks (14) despite missing the last six games of the season with a broken hand. The 2003 season was also a record setting one for Alberson as he claimed titles for 1st all-time in homeruns in a season (10) and 1st all-time in career homeruns (24). Alberson was the unanimous selection for MVP of the EMU-Sarasota Spring Classic and was voted team offensive MVP this season. He has now received 1st team All-HCAC honors for two consecutive years.
Heitkamp earned 2nd team All-HCAC honors and started in 28 games for Bluffton this season, compiling a .361 batting average, 16 runs scored, 35 hits, three homeruns, 17 RBI's, five walks and a team high and 5th all-time eight doubles. From his middle infield position, Heitkamp added a .924 fielding percentage. This season marks his third consecutive year of having a batting average of .300 or better. His freshman year, Heitkamp led Bluffton in batting, posting a .400 batting average. Heitkamp was also nominated for the Verizon Academic All-America Team this season.
Hall earned honorable mention All-HCAC honors and started in all 33 games for Bluffton, compiling a .293 batting average, 14 runs scored, 29 hits, four doubles, 10 RBI's and 10 walks. Hall added a .899 fielding percentage and was once again the ace of the pitching staff recording team highs in wins (3), saves (2), strikeouts (34) and innings pitched (55.0). For his defensive efforts, Hall was voted team defensive MVP this season. Hall was also nominated for the Verizon Academic All-America Team this season. In the career record book, Hall is tied for 6th in wins (13), tied for 3rd in saves (4), tied for 3rd in appearances (35), tied for 5th in games started (24), 2nd in complete games (14) and 7th in innings pitched (163.2). He has now received Honorable Mention All-HCAC honors for two consecutive years.
-BEAVERS-