5/8/19
(CLEVELAND) – Following a record-breaking season by the Truett McConnell University baseball team, a handful of Bears received staggering Appalachian Athletic Conference postseason awards, announced the league Tuesday.
John Michael McRae was named AAC freshman of the year while head coach Mike Croley was named AAC coach of the year. Junior Josh Johnston earned a spot on the All-Conference first team while seniors Austin Bishopand Gregory Elder Jr. earned a spot on the All-Conference second team.
McRae had a stellar rookie season starting and playing in all 49 games in right field to record a fielding percentage of .980 while recording an overall batting average of .354 and AAC batting average of .358. The 6’2″ freshman compiled a total of 69 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, 37 RBI’s, 37 runs scored and three home runs, including the grand slam that sparked a dominating win in the AAC tournament. McRae also stole nine bases and had two season highs tallying four hits. Most recently, McRae earned a spot on the All-Tournament team after going 10-for-19 at the plate.
Johnston also started and played all 49 games for the Bears. The junior shortstop led the team with an overall batting average of .422, which ranks second in the AAC, and an AAC batting average of .435. Johnston compiled a total of 81 hits, 10 doubles, four triples, 46 RBI’s, 59 runs scored and nine home runs. Additionally, Johnston recorded 23 stolen bases, which leads the AAC. Johnston ranks seventh in the country in hits per game (1.653).
Moreover, Bishop started and played in all 49 games at either second base, first base, left field or center field for TMU. The senior recorded an overall batting average of .390, .468 in the AAC, with 76 hits, 12 doubles, one triple, 30 RBI’s, 46 runs scored and two home runs. In fact, Bishop entered into the AAC tournament ranked second in the AAC in overall batting average. Most notable, Bishop hit for the cycle against (No. 14 at the time) Bryan College in March. Defensively, Bishop went the mile tallying only four errors to earn a fielding percentage of .974 from four different positions with 40 assists and 107 putouts.
Bishop was also named to the Champions of Character team.
From the mound, Elder led the way recording a total of 105 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched with a 6-2 record and one conference save. The senior left-handed pitcher led the AAC in batters struck out per game (14.54 average) and batters struck out (105), and ranked second in the AAC holding his opponents to a batting average of .212. Elder ranked third in the AAC in total hits allowed (53) and hits allowed per game (7.34). In addition, Elder holds the TMU school record for most career strikeouts.
Academically, seven Bears excelled; Evan Bensch, Bishop, Matthew Dunaway, Johnston, Miller McCathren, Calob Rowland and Shane Smith all earned spots on the All-Academic team.
The Bears have a chance of receiving an at-large bid for the NAIA national championships opening round. The bracket reveal is on Thursday, May 7. Most notable, TMU recorded an overall record of 12-8 against nationally ranked opponents this season.
