FREELAND, Mich.-- Trine's Colton Conn and Drew Palmer have been named to the All-MIAA Baseball Team, the conference announced Wednesday.
Conn (Cincinnati, Ohio / Indian Hill) earned All-MIAA First Team honors at second base, while Palmer (Hartford, Wis. / Hartford Union) was named to the All-MIAA Second Team outfield. Each player earned all-conference honors for the first time in his collegiate career. Conn and Palmer tied for the team lead in batting average as each player hit .371. The duo led the Thunder to an 18-21 overall record. Trine placed fifth in the MIAA with a 14-14 mark in league action.
Conn enjoyed a breakout season, improving on his batting average from last season's debut by more than 100 points. The sophomore's .392 batting average in conference play ranked seventh in the MIAA this year. He scored a team-best 30 runs and notched a .441 on-base percentage from his regular position in the leadoff spot.
Conn's 52 hits this spring were the sixth-most on record in a season in team history. He notched a 16-game hitting streak at one point during the season.
Steady defense was also a part of Conn's game. He committed just five errors in 143 total chances (.965 fielding percentage) while showcasing great range at second base. He helped turn 13 double plays.
Palmer batted .382 in conference play to rank ninth in the league in that category. The junior set career-highs in the power department with a team-high four home runs and a .586 slugging percentage. Three of Palmer's home runs came in conference play, two of which came in a late season doubleheader against Albion. One of those homers tied the score in the bottom half of the last inning and led the Thunder to a comeback victory after trailing by nine.
Palmer matched Conn's 16-game hitting streak with his own efforts. His 82 total bases this season are the fourth-most in record in a season in team history. He notched three triples and 12 doubles in addition to his home-run power. Palmer's 26 career doubles are six shy of the team record.
The complete All-MIAA teams and award-winners are listed below.
MIAA Pitcher of the Year: Tommy Parsons, Adrian
MIAA Player of the Year: Ryan Dorow, Adrian
All-MIAA First Team
P- Ryan Orr, Kalamazoo
P- Tommy Parsons, Adrian
P- Alex Valasek, Alma
C- Doug Walters, Alma
1B- Colton Wolfe, Calvin
2B- Colton Conn, Trine
SS- Ryan Dorow, Adrian
3B- Jack Clark, Kalamazoo
OF- Michael Fischbach, Albion
OF- Ryan Konkle, Hope
OF- Ian Mikowski, Adrian
UT- Steven Marowski, Albion
All-MIAA Second Team
P- Jake Chipka, Hope
P- Coty Franklin, Hope
P- Aaron Schwark, Kalamazoo
C- Nick Glowacki, Hope
1B- Landon Brower, Hope
2B- David Carles, Alma
SS- Mitch VanKoevering, Kalamazoo
3B- Matt Andrus, Adrian
OF- Josh Knorr, Adrian
OF- Drew Palmer, Trine
OF- Jeff Gertley, Adrian
UT- Luke Brower, Hope