The Harris-Stowe Baseball Team had a total of 18 athletes on the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Baseball Academic All-Conference squad.

To qualify for AMC Academic All-Conference honors, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

The Hornets who received this honor included: Tony Allen, Tim Buxman, Zach Buxman, Jason Emmons, Dan Healey, Joe Huber, Tad Jilek, Matt Kerperien, Mike Luczak, Marcus Marrero, Cody Ostmann, Travis Parker, Brandon Pringle, Jon Saxon, Bino Thompson, Eric Tripp, Adam Williams and Larry Young.

The McKendree Bearcats scored six runs in the eighth inning to defeat Harris-Stowe 6-2 Thursday morning at Missouri Baptist. The loss eliminated the Hornets from the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Tournament, thereby ending their season.

The Hornets’ offense struck first when they scored in the bottom of the second inning on a two-out infield single by Jason Emmons. Travis Parker, who was at second base, scored on an errant throw by McKendree’s shortstop who was trying to pick him off at third base. Parker’s run took the Hornets into the lead 1-0.

The Hornets’ starting pitcher Adam “Ace” Williams pitched outstandingly and kept the Bearcats scoreless through seven innings. However, the Bearcats made their attack in the top of the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and only one out, the Bearcats scored their first run of the game on a wild pitch. Matt Kerperien came in to relieve Williams with the bases loaded and still with one out. Kerperien struck out the first batter he faced. The Bearcats then took the lead on an infield single to give them a 2-1 advantage. McKendree then got a huge grand slam to increase their lead to 6-1.

Matt Suave connected on a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Hornets still fell to the Bearcats 6-2.

Harris-Stowe ended the season with an overall record of 19-33.

The Harris-Stowe Men’s Baseball Team had a number of athletes take home American Midwest Conference (AMC) postseason honors. Junior third baseman Matt Wassall, senior pitcher John Selb and senior outfielder Bino Thompson all received First-Team All-Conference honors.

Wassall had a batting average of .338 and led the team with 39 runs scored. Wassall also connected for three home runs and drove in 31 RBIs.

Selb led the Hornets’ pitching staff with a 4-1 record in conference play. With 71 innings pitched and 51 strikeouts, Selb led the Hornets in those categories as well.

Thompson served as a huge offensive threat for the Hornets this season by batting .350 and scoring 28 runs. Thompson stole 11 bases and drove in 17 RBIs.

For the second consecutive year, a Harris-Stowe baseball player received the AMC Freshman of the Year Award. This year, Joe Huber won the award; he served as the Hornets’ leadoff man and shortstop for the majority of the season. Travis Parker won the award in 2007 for the Hornets.

Huber also received Honorable Mention All-Conference honors along with teammates sophomore Mike Luczak, senior Matt Suave and junior Dan Healey.

Huber finished the season with a .320 batting average, 12 RBIs and none stolen bases.

Suave provided some offensive punch in the Hornets’ lineup by hitting 333 with three home runs and 35 RBIs.

Luczak connected for four homeruns and 29 RBIs this season for the Hornets.

Healey led the team with six triples and drove in 20 RBIs. Healey’s perfect fielding percentage this season earned him a spot on the AMC’s All-Defensive team as a center fielder.