May 18, 2009
MILWAUKEE -
Scott Doffek was named Horizon League Coach of the Year to highlight the awards earned by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball team when the league office announced its all-league teams and specialty award winners Monday.
Seniors Shawn Wozniak and Andy Gerhartz, junior Tim Patzman and sophomore Doug Dekoning were all named to the first team all-league squad. The four first team members were a league high. In addition, senior Josh Groves was named to the second team. Lastly, freshman Paul Hoenecke was tabbed for Horizon League All-Newcomer honors.
Complete Horizon League Release in PDF Format 
Doffek earns the coach of the year honors for the first time in his three seasons as head coach, guiding his squad to the second seed with a strong finish after being predicted to place third in the preseason poll. The team went 14-9 in league play, its highest winning percentage in league games since the 2002 campaign. The Panthers were second in league games in batting average at .318 and their 3.68 ERA was lowest in league play.
Wozniak earns all-league honors for the second-straight season (he was a second-team selection at first base in 2008), this time as a utility player after making 35 starts at first base and 16 in the outfield. He is hitting .310 with eight home runs and has driven in 35 runs, scored 37 more, and is the only player to start and appear in all 51 games this season. The slick-fielding senior has not made an error in 2009 and has a 56-game errorless streak dating back to last season.
Gerhartz earns first-team honors for the second-consecutive season after being selected a first-team utility player in 2008. The UWM everyday second baseman leads the league with 23 stolen bases and is second in the league with 14 hit-by-pitches. He is batting .262, has scored 36 runs and driven in 22 more.
Patzman enjoyed a breakout season as an everyday starter in the outfield and is currently leading the team with a .382 average, 17 doubles, 11 home runs and 41 runs batted in. His .685 slugging percentage leads the Horizon League, while his on-base percentage (.453), batting average, total bases, doubles, and home run totals are all in the top four in each category. The league award is a career-first for him.
Dekoning joins Patzman as on outfield selection, earning first-team honors after being named to the all-newcomer team as a freshman in 2008. He has batted .335 in 50 games, making 47 starts, and is fifth in the league with 42 runs scored. In addition, he has registered 18 extra-base hits and driven in 26.
Groves earns all-league honors for the second time in his career, this time as a designated hitter (he was a first-team utility player as a sophomore). He has been among the league leaders in average and on-base percentage all season long, and is currently batting .380 with a .446 OBP. He has appeared in 49 games, driving in 27 runs while scoring 30 more.
Hoenecke has contributed a fine freshman campaign, as he is currently batting .286 and has driven in 29 runs in 46 games, making 42 starts.
Three of the four league specialty awards went to Wright State, as Jeff Mercer was named player of the year, Michael Schum the relief pitcher of the year and Quentin Cate the newcomer of the year. UIC's Adam Worthington was named pitcher of the year.
FIRST TEAM ALL-LEAGUE
P -- Phil Klein (Youngstown State, So.)
P -- Adam Worthington (UIC, Sr.)
C -- Matt Lenski (Valparaiso, Sr.)
1B -- Jeff Mercer (Wright State, Sr.)
2B -- Andy Gerhartz (Milwaukee, Sr.)
SS -- Jacke Healey (Youngstown State, Jr.)
3B -- Quentin Cate (Wright State, Jr.)
OF -- Doug Dekoning (Milwaukee, So.)
OF -- Casey McGrew (Wright State, Jr.)
OF -- Tim Patzman (Milwaukee, Jr.)
DH -- Josh Hungerman (Cleveland State, Sr.)
UT -- Shawn Wozniak (Milwaukee, Sr.)
SECOND TEAM ALL-LEAGUE
P -- Chris Kovacevich (UIC, Jr.)
P -- Michael Schum (Wright State, Fr.)
C -- Nathan Orf (UIC, Fr.)
1B -- Brandon Harwell (UIC, Sr.)
2B -- David Leon (Youngstown State, So.)
SS -- R.J. Gundolff (Wright State, Jr.)
3B -- Jason Ganek (UIC, So.)
OF -- Brad Buell (Cleveland State, Sr.)
OF -- Jake Carr (UIC, Sr.)
OF -- Dan DeBruin (Valparaiso, Sr.)
DH -- Josh Groves (Milwaukee, Sr.)
UT -- Eric Marzec (Youngstown State, Jr.)
ALL-NEWCOMER TEAM
P -- Mike Hernandez (Butler, Fr.)
P -- Michael Schum (Wright State, Fr.)
C -- Nathan Orf (UIC, Fr.)
1B -- Tyler Wynn (Cleveland State, Fr.)
SS -- Jacke Healey (Youngstown State, Jr.)
3B -- Quentin Cate (Wright State, Jr.)
3B -- Paul Hoenecke (Milwaukee, Fr.)
OF -- Ryan Ashe (Wright State, Fr.)
OF -- Ryan Franks (Cleveland State, Jr.)
OF -- Kyle Gaedele (Valparaiso, Fr.)
OF -- Steven Scoby (Valparaiso, Fr.)
UT -- Jake Hibberd (Wright State, Fr.)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jeff Mercer (Wright State, Sr., INF)
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Adam Worthington (UIC, Sr., RHP)
RELIEF PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Michael Schum (Wright State, Fr., RHP)
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Quentin Cate (Wright State, Jr., INF)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Scott Doffek (Milwaukee)
