Yenser, Trick earn first-team recognition

May 18

--Defiance, Ohio-- DC's James Yenser and Richard Trick were named to the All-Heartland Conference First-team on Tuesday, as voted on by the league's opposing baseball coaches. Jason Smolenski earned second-team honors, while Tyler Stork, Ryan Leininger, Jeremy Hawkins, and Mike Hill garnered honorable mention.

Yenser, the Yellow Jacket's center fielder, pitcher, and switch-hitter, earned first-team recognition for hitting .275 in conference games with three doubles, nine RBI and one home run. Aside from his steady play at the plate, the sophomore from Ayersville played spectacularly in centerfield, robbing countless doubles and saving runs for the Jackets, who made the HCAC Tournament for the first time this spring. Yenser had a fielding percentage of .935, and appeared on the mound six times in relief, striking out seven batters in 7.1 innings of work.

Trick, the squad's emotional leader at catcher, was named to the first team for his .370 batting average in conference games as well as 13 RBI and .452 slugging percentage. The junior from Lowville, New York hit four doubles in conference play and accounted for a team-high 33 total bases. The catcher also made 96 put-outs in the 21 HCAC games and committed just two errors.

Smolenski was named to the second team as a designated hitter, ending the Heartland Conference season with a .425 batting average. The senior had a slugging percentage of .675, an on-base percentage of .467, and hit two home runs to lead the Jackets versus conference foes.

Stork, a sophomore right-handed pitcher from Paulding, was untouchable at times and ended the '04 conference season with a 4-2 record. In 41 innings of work, Stork struck out 14 batters and maintained a 4.39 ERA. Opposing hitters went .250 against the right-hander, as he dealt three complete games.

Leininger, a product of Archbold, hit .281 in the HCAC this season with 10 RBI. The senior first-baseman hit three doubles and a home run during the Jackets' tournament run and led DC with 116 put-outs in the field.

Hawkins emerged as Defiance's everyday starter at short stop as a freshman and hit .312 in the conference with eight RBI and four doubles. The Lexington, Ohio native scored 11 runs and maintained a .896 fielding percentage at short stop.

Hill, a freshman from Ashland, Ohio, emerged late in the season as an instinctive hitter in the Jacket line-up. The left fielder batted .379 with a double against conference opponents, also scoring five runs.

The Jackets finished the '04 season with a 15-25 overall record and a 10-11 record in the Heartland Conference.