By: Alex Robson
McPHERSON, Kan. — As the Bulldogs prepare for the KCAC tournament, a trio of players that helped them get there have collected all-conference honors as
Jace Essig has been named to the KCAC all-conference first team while
Marcus Patton and
Francisco Paradis have been named to the third team.
Essig put in an incredible showing in his senior season he finished the season with the second best batting average on the team (.400) and boasted a .514 on base percentage which was the highest on the team. The Texas native also matched his ability to make contact with his ability to rip the cover off the baseball as he accounted for 34 total extra base hits, a team high 14 homeruns, 48 runs batted in, and a slugging percentage of .776.
Essig also was a star defensively as he was named a Gold Glove recipient for his outstanding play in center field where he had a .984 fielding percentage and 118 putouts. "Jace has been our leader from day one this season and it is only right that he gets this 1st team and Gold Glove recognition," head coach Chris Dawson said. "Jace has put together one of the best seasons in program history both offensively and defensively so it's nice to see his hard work and dedication pay off."
Patton, the senior from Michigan, was one of the core pieces of the MC offense as he led the squad in batting average (.420). He also provided power and big runs when he needed to as he recorded 37 RBIs, seven homeruns, and a slugging percentage of .783 which was the third best on the team.
"Marcus has been a consistent presence in our line up all season long," coach Dawson said about his starting third baseman. "For a player to do that well at a new position is just a testimony of Marcus' hard work that he put in this season."
Paradis acted as the go to guy out of the bullpen when MC needed to get big outs. The Dominican Republic native did that job well as opposing batters had just a .147 average against him. Paradis only surrendered 10 hits and 14 runs and struck out 29 batters.
"I'm happy to see Frankie get recognized for his season and his success," said Dawson. "He has proved to be one of the most prolific strikeout pitchers in the conference and gives us a chance to win a game every time he takes the ball in late game situations."
