Kansas City, Mo. - After a stellar 2021 regular season campaign paired with a Heart Conference title, the No. 4 Central Methodist baseball team garnered numerous Heart accolades and all-conference honorees.
The all-conference list featured 17 players selected to both the First Team and Second Team. An additional 24 athletes earned Honorable Mention status. Each of the conference postseason awards were voted on by each head coach in the league. Mason Schwellenbach (1st Team - Utility / 1st Team Pitcher), and Kenny Otero (2nd Team Outfield / 2nd Team Pitcher) were recognized in multiple position groups.
CMU garnered 10 All-Heart selections, the most of any team in the conference including four First Team, four Second Team, and two Honorable Mention honorees.
The Eagles swept the Heart superlative award winners, as junior ace Nick Merkel was named the Heart Pitcher of the Year, while senior shortstop Sergio Macias was tabbed as the Conference Player of the Year. Head Coach Nate Breland earned Coach of the Year honors, after leading his team to the regular season title.
Merkel, was named the Heart Pitcher of the Year after a phenomenal junior campaign. Merkel boasted a spotless regular season record of 10-0 and an ERA of 1.82 after tossing 69.1 innings. He finished the regular season with 93 strikeouts and has scattered just 50 hits through 257 batters faced. Merkel is nationally ranked in seven statistical categories, including No. 4 in wins and No. 8 in total runs allowed (14).
Macias was recognized as the Heart Player of the Year after a standout season. Macias currently holds a .424 batting average and has totaled 64 hits, 58 RBIs, 44 runs, 17 homers, and 10 doubles thus far. He has also collected five saves and one win on the mound while surrendering zero runs through 8.1 innings of work.
Coach Breland, was recognized as the Heart Coach of the Year by his peers. Breland, who is currently is in his eighth season at the helm of the program, also received the distinction in 2018. The 42 wins this season are tied for second most by a CMU squad in the last 15 seasons.
In addition to Merkel and Macias being named to All-Conference First Team, Schwellenbach also garnered first team honors. The Saginaw, Mich. native accumulated a .398 batting average including 53 hits, 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 47 RBI. He has also been a force on the mound, setting the CMU single season wins record (12) and tying the team lead in strikeouts. Schwellenbach has also compiled a 2.14 earned run average.
Senior first basemen Logan Haring was the final Eagle to earn first team all-conference honors, as the Dekalb, Ill. native is now a four-time all-conference selection. Haring has hit several notable milestones this season, as he set new program records in at-bats, doubles and hits. Haring enters postseason play with a .395 batting average, including 62 hits, 15 doubles, and has tied the single season program record for home runs with 18. He has started every game at first base for the Eagles this season.
Beau Atkins, Deshawn Cole, Adrian Martinez, and Otero were all tabbed as all-conference second team performers for their efforts in 2021.
Atkins appeared in 14 games as a relief pitcher for Central, tossing 17.2 innings and boasting a 2.04 earned run average. He picked up four saves and struck out 24 batters. Cole made an immediate impact this season as CMU's primary second basemen, starting all 47 games. He picked up 53 hits in 173 at-bats, good enough for a .306 batting average. Cole also finished second on the team with 15 stolen bases.
Martinez earned all-conference honors for the first time in his career. The Toa Alta, Puerto Rico native finished with a .346 batting average along with 28 hits, including nine doubles, a triple, and eight home runs. He also drove in 28 runners and totaled 63 bases.
Otero rounded out the Second Team All-Heart selections, appearing and starting in 47 games. Otero led the Eagles with 16 doubles, and boasted a .351 batting average. He also doubled as a pitcher, appearing in 11 games with 11 starts and compiling an impressive 8-1 record and 3.86 earned run average. Through 63 innings of work, Otero struck out 65 batters, good enough for third on the team.
Devon Garcia and Max McCay both earned honorable mention honors for their performances in 2021. Garcia started all 47 games for Central in the outfield, and compiled a .292 batting average, collecting 40 hits and driving in 33 runners. He picked up 11 extra base including five doubles, a triple and five home runs. Garcia was also recognized as one of the conference's best outfielders, earning the coveted Gold Glove Award. The Bowling Green, Ohio native concluded the regular season with a .989 fielding percentage, committing only one error in 47 games along with 84 putouts.
McCay served as Central's primary catcher in the regular season. The Carlisle, Iowa native finished third on the team with a .397 batting average and a .647 slugging percentage.
The Eagles will look to sweep the regular season and tournament titles, as Central has advanced to the Heart Championship series. CMU will play either MidAmerica Nazarene or William Penn Monday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m.
To view the compete list of Heart All-Conference selections, please click here.
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