Seniors Garner Annual Baseball Awards

May 26, 2009

EAST LANSING, Mich. - This season, the Michigan State baseball team made the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2004, due in large part to the play of its senior class. Several of these Spartan seniors' contributions were recognized by their teammates as six were elected recipients of the team's annual individual awards.

"We're very proud of this senior class and all it has accomplished here at Michigan State," said MSU head coach Jake Boss Jr. "The success we had this season could not have happened with out the seniors and their teammates certainly recognized this."

Senior Eric Roof, who led MSU in hitting, was named the team's Most Valuable Player as well as Offensive Player of the Year. Roof started all 54 games for MSU and led the Spartans in batting average (.345), hits (69), doubles (14), RBIs (41), slugging percentage (.525) and on-base percentage (.440). The tri-captain had 11 multi-RBI games this past season including two games with grand slams.

"Eric is a true leader and he personified this with the great season he had," said Boss. "His leadership was invaluable to our ballclub."

Fellow senior and tri-captain Nolan Moody was named MSU's Most Valuable Pitcher. In his first season as a starter, he went 6-5 and tied for second on the team in strikeouts with 57. Moody also turned in one of the top individual performances in the nation this season when he threw a no-hitter on April 4 in a 2-0 win over Northwestern in the first game at the new McLane Baseball Stadium.

"Nolan had a fantastic year on the mound and his no-hitter will be remembered as one of the greatest moments in Spartan baseball history," said Boss.

A pair of seniors, Max Miller and Johnny Lee, shared Most Improved Player honors. Miller was one of the Spartans' most reliable relievers after entering 2009 with a career total of just 3.2 innings pitched. This season, the West Bloomfield native posted a 1-1 record and 4.95 ERA in 13 appearances. With the Spartans battling injuries all season, Miller proved his value and versatility by stepping in to play the infield on two occasions.

Lee had a career year for the Green and White at the plate, posting career-high numbers in nearly every offensive category, including: runs (31), hits (54), RBIs (28) and home runs (3). Starting 51 of 53 games in which he appeared, Lee also displayed his versatility by playing in the outfield, second base or as the team's designated hitter.

Sophomore Jonathan Roof was one of two players to start all 54 games at the same position as he sported a .958 fielding percentage at shortstop to earn Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Roof made just 12 errors in 284 chances and his .952 fielding percentage in Big Ten play was good for a tie for third best in the league.

Junior pitcher Kyle Corcoran was named Student-Athlete of the Year. Corcoran, who earned Academic All-Big Ten honors last season, is in line for the same accolade this season as he currently posts a 3.8 GPA.

Senior pitchers A.J. Dunn and Peter Wolff shared the Team Spirit Award. Dunn, also a tri-captain, had one of his best years out of the bullpen, picking up two wins in 44.1 innings. Wolff made 17 appearances and led MSU in saves with four.

The Spartans finished the season 23-31 and went 10-4 against teams in the state of Michigan - their best mark against in-state schools since 2001.