Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Baseball Team Announces Award Winners
May 30, 2018 | Baseball
PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton Tigers announced their annual Team Award winners.
Jesper Horsted was honored with the William J. Clarke Award for the first time in his career. The unanimous first team All-Ivy outfielder led the team in hitting (.324), hits (44), total bases (53) and on-base percentage (.408). He posted a .390/.478/.455 slash line in Ivy League play. In the month of April, he had an impressive 10-game hitting streak including five multi-hit outings. 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.
Senior Ben Gross and sophomore Eli Kimbell were selected as co-winners of the Edward J. Donovan 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.
Gross also earned 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.
Kimbell also secured 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.
Gross was second team All-Ivy honors posting four wins and 4.47 ERA in nine starts this year. The senior started six times against Ivy foes, going 3-3 with 40 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings while opposing hitters hit just .239 against Gross. The senior struck out at least seven players in four straight starts (Mar. 31-Apr. 21). His signature moment of the season was a complete game shutout against Penn (Apr. 14).
Kimbell was one of the best relievers in the Ivy League this season, showing off with a 2.43 ERA in 11 appearances. Hitters hit .202 against him as he struck out 38 in 29 2/3 innings of work with two wins and two saves. Kimbell punched out six in three frames at UNCW (Mar. 2), before earning a save at Georgetown (Mar. 16). The sophomore was perfect at Rutgers, picking up a save, giving Princeton its first win over the Big Ten squad since 2011. Kimbell later nabbed a victory against Cornell (Apr. 1), throwing five stanzas and struck out four at Brown (Apr. 7), picking up the win.
Taylor Beckett was given 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. Beckett finished third on the squad with a .269 average and tied for the team lead with a .387 slugging percentage. The freshman picked up his play during Ivy action, posting a .304/.409/.464 slash line. One of his best performances of the season came vs. Penn (Apr. 14) as he had three hits and two doubles. He finished the season on a five-game hitting streak (Apr. 28-May 6).
Dan Arendas '86 was the winner of the Robert L. Peters, Jr. Award, is given to an alumnus who has made significant contributions to the game of baseball at any level following his graduation or has distinguished himself after graduation in his chosen field of endeavor. Established by the Friends of Princeton Baseball in 1984 in honor of Bob Peters, who has provided inspiration to generations of Princeton student-athletes through his example as a gentleman, leader, patriot and competitor.
Arendas finished as three-time William J. Clarke Award winner (1983-84, 1986) and helped the the Tigers to the Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball (EILB) Championship and NCAA Tournament in 1985. As a senior captain in 1986, Arendas earned his third straight first-team All-EILB accolade and became the fourth Tiger in program history to be named an All-American.
Jesper Horsted was honored with the William J. Clarke Award for the first time in his career. The unanimous first team All-Ivy outfielder led the team in hitting (.324), hits (44), total bases (53) and on-base percentage (.408). He posted a .390/.478/.455 slash line in Ivy League play. In the month of April, he had an impressive 10-game hitting streak including five multi-hit outings. 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.
Senior Ben Gross and sophomore Eli Kimbell were selected as co-winners of the Edward J. Donovan 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.
Gross also earned 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.
Kimbell also secured 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.
Gross was second team All-Ivy honors posting four wins and 4.47 ERA in nine starts this year. The senior started six times against Ivy foes, going 3-3 with 40 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings while opposing hitters hit just .239 against Gross. The senior struck out at least seven players in four straight starts (Mar. 31-Apr. 21). His signature moment of the season was a complete game shutout against Penn (Apr. 14).
Kimbell was one of the best relievers in the Ivy League this season, showing off with a 2.43 ERA in 11 appearances. Hitters hit .202 against him as he struck out 38 in 29 2/3 innings of work with two wins and two saves. Kimbell punched out six in three frames at UNCW (Mar. 2), before earning a save at Georgetown (Mar. 16). The sophomore was perfect at Rutgers, picking up a save, giving Princeton its first win over the Big Ten squad since 2011. Kimbell later nabbed a victory against Cornell (Apr. 1), throwing five stanzas and struck out four at Brown (Apr. 7), picking up the win.
Taylor Beckett was given 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. Beckett finished third on the squad with a .269 average and tied for the team lead with a .387 slugging percentage. The freshman picked up his play during Ivy action, posting a .304/.409/.464 slash line. One of his best performances of the season came vs. Penn (Apr. 14) as he had three hits and two doubles. He finished the season on a five-game hitting streak (Apr. 28-May 6).
Dan Arendas '86 was the winner of the Robert L. Peters, Jr. Award, is given to an alumnus who has made significant contributions to the game of baseball at any level following his graduation or has distinguished himself after graduation in his chosen field of endeavor. Established by the Friends of Princeton Baseball in 1984 in honor of Bob Peters, who has provided inspiration to generations of Princeton student-athletes through his example as a gentleman, leader, patriot and competitor.
Arendas finished as three-time William J. Clarke Award winner (1983-84, 1986) and helped the the Tigers to the Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball (EILB) Championship and NCAA Tournament in 1985. As a senior captain in 1986, Arendas earned his third straight first-team All-EILB accolade and became the fourth Tiger in program history to be named an All-American.
Players Mentioned
IF/OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballPrinceton Athletics 2023-24 Highlights
Tuesday, June 04
Sights and Sounds: 2024 Ivy League Baseball Tournament - Game 3
Monday, May 20
Sights and Sounds: Princeton Baseball Ivy League Tournament win vs. Harvard
Friday, June 02
Highlights from 2022 Gary Walters ’67 PVC Awards Banquet
Wednesday, June 22