May 17, 2016
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University baseball team had four of its members named Honorable Mention All-Heartland Conference when the post-season hardware was handed out on Tuesday, May 17. Seniors Travis Clark (Lima/Central Catholic) and Jason Colliver (Beavercreek) were joined by juniors Luke Hickey (Toledo/Whitmer) and Taylor Gambrell (Bowling Green) as the awards were announced following the 2016 season.
Senior hurler Travis Clark had a breakout season for the Beavers, racking up six saves this year. His six saves are number two on the all-time list behind David Ianiro’s school record nine saves (2014). Clark fired 23 Strikeouts in 27 innings for 7.66 K’s per nine innings. He is ranked 16th all time for lowest opponent batting average at .265 for a single season. Clark’s 21 appearances established a new single season mark for the Beavers. He finished his career tied for fifth all-time with six career saves.
Senior Jason Colliver took advantage in his first year as a starter, leading the Beavers with a .320 batting average. Colliver rapped a team-high 49 hits while driving in 20 runs. He scored 22 runs and stole nine bases. He was able to facilitate 23 double plays as the starting second baseman, bringing his career total to 25 which puts him at 15th all-time.
Junior Luke Hickey earned his third consecutive All-Heartland Conference honor following the 2016 season. Hickey was a First Team honoree as well as the 2014 Freshman of the Year before collecting Second Team recognition in 2015. He started all 40 games and equaled Colliver for team-high honors with 49 hits, including 11 doubles, two triples and two doubles. Hickey led the team with 23 RBI and a .412 slugging percentage. With his senior campaign on the horizon, Luke Hickey is already 8th all-time with 157 career hits. He is also up to number six all time in career doubles with 37 two-baggers.
Taylor Gambrell continued to impress, putting together his best season yet with a career-low 3.25 ERA. Gambrell recorded a career-high 37 strikeouts in 2016. The junior workhorse led the Beavers with 52.2 innings pitched and his .270 opponent batting average was a career best. Gambrell has already made his mark on the career record books as well. He is fourth all time with 2.19 walks per nine innings. His 3.52 career ERA is ninth all-time while his .297 opponent batting average is 11th all-time. His 45 career appearances are tied for 5th all-time while his seven saves are tied for third.
In conjunction with the All-Heartland Conference awards, the conference has announced the All-HCAC Sportsmanship Team for the 2016. This award has been developed as part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative. Members of the All-HCAC Sportsmanship team are selected by the coaches and their teammates as individuals who demonstrate the ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field/court of competition. Bluffton senior Jason Colliver was recognized for his sportsmanship this season.
-BEAVERS-
