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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Baseball Team Hands Out Team Awards
May 25, 2011 | Baseball
Sophomore Zak Hermans was given the Edward J. Donovan Baseball Award, which is awarded annually to the pitcher performing the best in the following categories: Wins, Earned Run Average and Strikeouts, and is presented by the 1975 Varsity Baseball Squad. Hermans was an honorable mention All-Ivy selection and led Princeton with a 2.85 ERA in 66.1 innings of work. He was 5-1 on the mound and struck out 52 batters. He now has a career record of 9-4 in his two seasons at Princeton.
Junior Sam Mulroy was awarded The William J. Clarke Award for the second season in a row. The Clarke Award is presented annually to that member of the Princeton varsity baseball team who demonstrates the greatest proficiency in baseball by achieving the highest score in hitting, fielding and outstanding plays. Presented by the 1939 varsity baseball squad in honor of the beloved Bill Clarke, Head Coach of Princeton Baseball. A first-team All-Ivy selection at catcher, Mulroy led Princeton in hitting for the second straight season. He led the Ivy Champion Tigers in most offensive categories, including batting average (.324), hits (55), doubles (11), home runs (7) and RBIs (39). Mulroy also stole a team-high 13 bases during the season and threw out 14 of 57 attempted base stealers (24.5%).
Freshman Mike Ford earned The Kellogg Trophy awarded annually to the Princeton freshman baseball player who has excelled in sportsmanship, devotion to Princeton's baseball interests, and athletic endeavor. Donated in 1924 in memory of Leroy Gifford Kellogg '26 by a Lawrenceville delegation of the Class of 1926. The Ivy League Rookie of the Year, Ford went 5-3 in 10 starts and four complete games. He compiled a 3.98 ERA, the second lowest on the Tiger staff, while striking out 37 in 63.1 innings. Ford was 4-0 in Ivy League starts with a 1.77 ERA. He became the fourth Princeton player to earn Ivy Rookie of the Year honors, joining Max Krance, Chris Young and Ross Ohlendorf.
The Coach's Baseball Trophy is awarded annually to that sophomore member of the Princeton varsity baseball squad who during the season, demonstrates the greatest aptitude and improvement. This year the award was shared by Matt Bowman and Steve Harrington. Bowman made 10 starts on the mound for the Tigers and pitched to a 5.05 ERA. When not pitching, Bowman anchored the Princeton defense with his presence at shortstop and also batted .314 with a team-high 38 runs scored. Harrington developed into a key bat in the Princeton lineup. The first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter batted .315 with 22 RBIs.
Senior captains Matt Connor, Matt Grabowski and David Palms were named co-winners of the Kafer Trophy, donated by his classmates of the Class of 1900 in memory of Frederick W. Kafer '00. Awarded annually to that member of the Princeton varsity baseball team of good moral character, who, during the season, in addition to proving himself a player of ability, has best exemplified the following traits and characteristics: Observance of the rules of the game and fairness towards opponents, loyalty and devotion to Princeton's baseball interests, courage, manliness, self-control and modesty, perseverance and determination under discouraging conditions. The trio served as captains of the 2011 Princeton baseball team and their leadership helped the Tigers earn their first Ivy League title since the 2006 season. Connor played in 24 games in the infield while Grabowski and Palms both pitched important innings out of the bullpen with each earning three wins this season.
Princeton wrapped up the 2011 Ivy League Championship on May 8 and became the first team to qualify for the 2011 NCAA Baseball Championship. Since then four other automatic berths have been handed out to Alcorn State, Bethune-Cookman, Navy and Sacred Heart. The field and bracket for the NCAA tournament will be announced on Monday, May 30 at 12:30 p.m. on ESPN.