Nodzenski is MWC Co-Player of the Year, 1 of 6 Pioneers on 1st team

Grinnell College designated hitter Mike Nodzenski '12 (top) has been named the Midwest Conference South Division Positional Co-Player of the Year in a vote of league coaches.

Nodzenski, of Naperville, Ill. (Naperville North HS), was one of six Pioneers to earn a spot on the All-MWC South Division First Team. Grinnell had one Second Team selection.

Joining Nodzenski on the First Team were pitcher Ryan Harris '10 (middle row, left), first baseman Brett Maloney '09 (middle row, center), shortstop Ben Mendoza '09 (middle row, right), outfielder Paden Roder '10 (bottom row, left) and second baseman Chad Takabuki '10 (bottom row, center). The Second Team selection was pitcher Gary Kahn '09 (bottom row, right).

Nodzenski was among the league leaders in several categories, including first in home runs with eight. He ranked second in slugging percentage at .653 and fifth in RBIs with 36. He hit .347 on the season.

Harris, from St. Louis, Mo. (Vianney), led the Pioneers in pitching wins with six and had a 3.26 ERA. He was tops on the team in innings pitched with 58 and games started with 10.

Maloney, from Wheaton, Ill. (St. Francis Prep), was third on the team with a .446 on base percentage and homers with five, and fifth in slugging percentage at .555.

Mendoza, from Gallup, N.M., (Eldorado), led the league in doubles with 21 and was also first in the nation in doubles per game with 0.66. He ranked fourth in the MWC in runs scored with 38 and fifth in steals with 21.

Roder, from Sutherland, Iowa (South O'Brien), was among the league leaders in many categories. He was second in runs scored (39), third in doubles (14) and homers (six), and fourth in slugging percentage (.624) and hits (53).

Takabuki, from Honolulu, Hawaii (Mid Pacific), ranked second on the team in stolen bases with 15, was third in doubles with 12 and fifth in runs scored with 28.

Kahn, from Cooper City, Fla. (Cooper City), was tops in the MWC in opponents batting average at .191. He ranked third in ERA at 2.82 and fifth in strikeouts with 44 while compiling a 3-0 mark.

Joining Nodzenski as South Division Positional Co-Player of the Year was Kevin Malone of Knox College. Robbie Hinkle of Monmouth College was named Pitcher of the Year, while Monmouth's Roger Sander was the Coach of the Year.