Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Complete 2014 Atlantic Sun Conference Baseball Awards and Honors

MACON, Ga. – Three Northern Kentucky University baseball players have been recognized by the Atlantic Sun Conference for their performances during the 2014 season, the league announced on Tuesday.
 
Zac Asman and Cole Bauml each earned second-team All-Atlantic Sun accolades, while Kyle Colletta received a spot on the All-Freshman team. 
 
Asman, a senior infielder from Cincinnati, Ohio, had an impressive offensive turnaround this season.  After struggling at the plate as a junior, Asman finished his final season with the Norse holding a .308 batting average.  He collected 15 doubles and hit one home run, and he led the team in triples (2), runs scored (34) and stolen bases (9).
 
In the final series of his four-career, Asman went 6-for-10 (.600) with one double, one RBI and two runs scored.  He drew one walk and was hit by a pitch twice last weekend.  He went 4-for-5 in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader and recorded an RBI in the second inning when he was walk with the bases loaded.  Asman then scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Jordan Procyshen in the eighth inning to eventually force extra innings.

"Zac Asman had a terrific season both offensively and defensively for us in his senior year," NKU head coach Todd Asalon said.  "He hit out of the leadoff spot and gave us quality at-bats all season and was the offensive spark that we needed. He is very deserving of All-Atlantic Sun honors."

Bauml, a junior outfielder from Muenster, Saskatchewan, was one of just two Norse players to start every game this year, and he finished his first season at NKU with a .337 batting average, which ranked second on the team.  His team-leading .567 slugging percentage landed fifth in the Atlantic Sun, and Bauml's 18 doubles also led the Norse and landed fourth in the conference.  He collected seven home runs during the season to finish eighth in the league, and he added a team-leading 38 RBIs, one triple and seven stolen bases for the Norse.
 
On three separate occasions, Bauml knocked in six or more runs in a single game.  On April 5, he batted in six runs on two hits in a 16-8 victory over Stetson, highlighted by a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.  He accomplished that feat again less than three weeks later when he recorded six RBIs in NKU's 17-8 win over Xavier at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex on April 22.  Bauml then set a career high with seven RBIs as he drove in at least one run with each of his three hits against Florida Gulf Coast on May 4.

"Cole Bauml had an incredible season for us hitting in the two-slot this year behind Asman," Asalon said.  "He hit for power and average and came up with clutch hits all season.  He was very consistent both at the plate and in centerfield, and we are looking for even bigger things next year.  We are very proud of his All-Atlantic Sun honor."

Colletta, a freshman infielder from Lincolnwood, Ill., batted .281 in his first season with NKU.  He collected five doubles and 14 RBIs, and he scored 20 runs.  He drew a team-high 19 walks and posted a .955 fielding percentage, spending his time in the infield as the shortstop.  His single down the right-field line on April 13 allowed Josh Myers to score, lifting the Norse to a 4-3 extra-innings victory over South Carolina Upstate at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
 
Colletta was also called upon to take the mound for NKU this season.  The right-hander led the Norse pitching staff with a 5.65 earned run average, and he earned five starts.  He allowed just 23 earned runs in 11 appearances, and he struck out 19 batters and walked 10 over 36.2 innings of work.  Colletta recorded his first collegiate victory in a 12-6 win over Butler on May 7, giving up four runs, only one earned, on eight hits with five strikeouts in eight innings.

"Kyle Colletta played a huge role this year as our full-time shortstop and as a pitcher," Asalon said.  "He was very consistent both at the plate and in the field all year and is one of the toughest kids on the team.  He plays the game the right way and is a fierce competitor.  We are very proud of his Atlantic Sun honor."

Asman and Bauml are the first two NKU players to be named to an all-conference team since the Norse became a member of the Atlantic Sun last season.  Colletta is the second player to be named to the All-Freshman team, following Logan Spurlin's honor in 2013.
 
Kennesaw State's Max Pentecost was named the Atlantic Sun Player of the Year, while Mercer's Michael Massi received Defensive Player of the Year honors.  Florida Gulf Coast took home the final three awards as Michael Murray earned Pitcher of the Year accolades and Jake Noll was tabbed the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year.  Dave Tollett was named the league's Coach of the Year.