JTV Sports | May 10th, 2019 | Chris Bauman

Spring Arbor, Michigan– The Spring Arbor University baseball team has been honored with five selections to the All-Crossroads League teams, the league office announced on Thursday.

Seniors Chris Triplett, Conner Lengerich and Duncan Patterson were selected to the all-league team while Lengerich also was awarded a Gold Glove. Earning Honorable Mention recognition was junior Gavin Harris and sophomore Evan Lorey.

Triplett, a four-year starter, capped off his outstanding career by earning his first all-league honor. After receiving honorable mention honors a season ago, the senior shortstop enjoyed his best season as a Cougar in 2019, setting career-highs in every offensive category. He led the team in batting average (.377), hits (66), runs scored (53), home runs (10) and stolen bases (25) while also ranking top-three in the Crossroads League in each of those category. His 10 home runs were the most by an SAU player since 2009 when Eric Vojkofsky belted 12.

Over his career, Triplett has played in 188 games, which is tied for the eighth-most in the program’s 56-year history. He established a new SAU career record with 50 hit-by-pitches, and he now ranks second all-time in runs scored (167) and stolen bases (69).

After missing almost the entire 2018 season, Lengerich returned to his all-league form with his best season yet in 2019. Like, Triplett, the senior outfielder posted career-highs across the board in his final campaign, including nine home runs. The Monroe, Indiana native started all 52 games, boasting a .363 batting average with 53 runs scored – tying Triplett for the most on the team and in the league. He also drove in a team-high 47 runs and collected six triples, which ranks as the second-most in a single season in SAU history.

Lengerich left his mark on the SAU record book over his career. He ranks top-10 in games played (188), at-bats (600), triples (11) and hit-by-pitches (27).

Patterson received his first piece of all-league hardware after earning an honorable mention nod as a freshman in 2016. The senior right-hander from Byron Center, Michigan cemented himself as one of the best pitchers in the Crossroads League posting nine victories on the mound this year, which ranked second in the conference. In 15 starts, he owned a 9-5 record with a 3.31 earned run average while tossing eight complete games. He pitched a career-high 103.1 innings – the second-most in the country – while fanning a career-best 79 strikeouts.

Patterson closed out his career with 60 appearances on the mound and 43 games started, both rank top-five in SAU history. He also ranks in the program’s top-10 in strikeouts (257), innings pitched (310.1) and complete games (22).

Harris emerged as one of the top closers in the Crossroads League. He appeared in 20 games this season and his seven saves were tied for the second-most in the league. The Waterford, Michigan native was 4-4 on the mound with a 4.87 ERA and struck out 53 batters in 57.1 innings pitched.

Lorey had a breakout sophomore campaign batting .333 with 54 hits, which ranked third on the team. He had 10 doubles, two triples and two home runs while scoring 38 runs and driving in 15. Lorey also went 2-2 in 11 appearances on the mound. He struck out 22 batters in 22.0 innings pitched.

Spring Arbor completed the season with an overall record of 23-29 and finished sixth in the Crossroads League standings.

For more local sports news and information, you can connect with JTV Sports on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This article was written by Spring Arbor University’s Chris Bauman.