UIC all-conference baseball roster loaded with Bulldogs

The Upper Iowa all-conference baseball roster was loaded with MFL MarMac Bulldogs, as all seven of the team’s seniors were recognized. Parker Kuehl, Ben Krambeer and Jacob Schellhorn were first team selections and Brayden Gordon and Jaxon Millage made the second team. Kade Humble and Jaron Wille were honorable mention picks.

Kuehl played in 31 games, appearing in 12 as a pitcher. His 11 starts and 64 innings were second most in the UIC. Sixty-four innings also tied him for second most in Class 2A. Kuehl posted a 1.31 ERA in that span—fourth best in the UIC—with an 8-3 record. Eight wins was second most for conference pitchers. The MFL MarMac ace compiled a conference leading 89 strikeouts and had the third highest number in Class 2A. Additionally, he recorded no errors and had a 1.000 fielding percentage.

Offensively, Kuehl boasted a .326 batting average and .517 on base percentage as the Bulldog leadoff hitter. He had the third most hits for the team, at 28—including 18 singles, seven doubles, one triple and two home runs—and drew 29 walks, which was third most in the UIC. Kuehl knocked in 18 runs and scored 39—a team high. Thirty-four stolen bases ranked him tops in the Upper Iowa Conference and tied for third in Class 2A.

Krambeer was one of the UIC’s most prolific hitters this season. His .454 batting average was second best and .479 on base percentage 10th best. He racked up 49 hits in 31 games, the highest number in Class 2A and third most in the conference. That total included 36 singles, 10 doubles, one triple and two home runs. The third baseman drove in 42 RBIs—second most for both the UIC and Class 2A—and scored 32 runs. 

Although he pitched just nine innings, Krambeer made the most of that time, leading the conference and Class 2A with six saves. He had a .78 ERA and held opponents to a .100 average.

Schellhorn turned in a .355 batting average, which was seventh best in the conference, as well as a .483 on base percentage over 31 games. His 33 hits were eighth most in the UIC and he was one of the Bulldog leaders with 21 walks. Schellhorn stole 12 bases, was runner-up on the team with 35 runs and ranked ninth among conference players with 27 RBIs. The senior spent most of his time at shortstop, recording a .955 fielding percentage, 24 putouts and 61 assists, which was fourth most in Class 2A.

In 40 and two-thirds innings on the mound, Schellhorn tallied a 4-1 record with a 2.07 ERA and .180 opponent batting average. He struck out 44 batters, trailing only Kuehl in the team rankings.

Gordon played in 31 games, earning a .302 average and .460 on base percentage. He netted 26 hits, 18 of them singles and eight doubles, while drawing 24 walks. Those walks were second most on the team. Gordon stole nine bases, scored 28 runs and drove in 17. As right fielder, he committed no errors and had a 1.000 fielding percentage.

Millage accumulated a .326 batting average and .423 on base percentage over 31 games, mostly as the Bulldog first baseman. His 31 hits and 22 RBIs were each third most among MFL MarMac players. Millage drew 10 walks and was hit by pitches six times. He also stole nine bases and scored 25 runs.

Like some of his teammates, Millage saw time on the mound: seven games or 18 and one-third innings. He had a 4-0 record with a 4.20 ERA during those appearances, allowing six hits and 27 walks, while striking out 30 hitters.

In 31 games, Humble finished with a .267 batting average and .398 on base percentage. He collected 20 hits, including 15 singles, four doubles and a triple, in addition to drawing 15 walks and being hit by a pair of pitches. Humble’s stat line also included 20 RBIs and 12 runs scored. Along with serving as second baseman, Humble pitched 19 innings in nine games, putting up a 3-0 record and .37 ERA. He surrendered 14 hits, nine walks and two hit batters, while striking out 11 batters.

Wille played 31 games in the outfield and as designated hitter. He posted a .214 batting average and .320 on base percentage. Of his 18 hits, 15 were singles, three doubles and one a home run. Wille also drew 10 walks and was hit by four pitches. The remaining stat line included five stolen bases, 19 RBIs and 19 runs scored.