BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) released its baseball postseason awards on Wednesday and five Gustavus student-athletes were named All-Conference, highlighted by Jack Hanson (Sr., Minnetonka) being named the 2022 Max Molock Player of the Year. Joining Hanson on the All-Conference Team include Ethan Mocchi (Sr., Champlin), Gavin Baker (Jr., Lakeville), Bryce Novak (Jr., Cleveland), Andrew Gustafson (Jr., Maplewood), and Lane Glaser (Jr., Hutchinson). Novak was also selected to the All-Defensive Team.
Hanson becomes the second consecutive Gustie to earn MIAC Player of the Year honors after Novak earned the award last season. Hanson won the “triple crown” in the MIAC when including all games played this season, leading the league in batting average (.491), runs batted in (57), and home runs (14). Hanson also led the MIAC in overall plate appearances (195), at-bats (167), runs (59), hits (82), total bases (143), on-base percentage (.544), slugging percentage (.856), total chances (315), and putouts (298). In conference games only, Hanson led the league in runs (26), hits (37), batting average (.507), on-base percentage (.565), and slugging percentage (.932). Hanson also made his mark in the Gustavus record books, setting the single season records for hits (82), RBIs (57), runs (59), and tied the home run record of 14. After starting all 42 games at first base this season, Hanson had 26 multiple-hit games, including six four-hit games, and 17 multiple-RBI games. His .491 batting average and 82 hits are both third best in NCAA Division III, while his 143 total bases rank fourth. Hanson’s .856 slugging percentage is ninth highest in the country.
Mocchi makes his second consecutive appearance on the All-Conference Team after being the top catcher in the MIAC. Mocchi ranked in the conference’s top-10 in multiple statistical categories, including a .380 batting average (9th) with 37 runs (8th), 60 hits (3rd), 13 doubles (4th), eight home runs (4th), 99 total bases (5th), .627 slugging percentage (5th), and eight runners caught stealing (4th). Starting 29 games at catcher, Mocchi made 178 putouts with 21 assists and six errors for a .971 fielding percentage. Mocchi ends his collegiate career as one of the best players in Gustavus baseball history, ranking 16th in career batting average (.340), ninth in at-bats (486), ninth in hits (165), fifth in doubles (39), eighth in home runs (13), and third in RBIs (114).
Playing in his first season with the Gusties after transferring in, Baker earns All-Conference after starting 38 games at shortstop and hitting third in the lineup 39 times. Baker also ranked in the MIAC’s top-10 in multiple categories, including 41 runs (5th), three triples (9th), seven home runs (6th), 84 total bases (9th), 21 walks (3rd), nine hit-by-pitch (8th), and 94 assists (2nd). Baker owned a .331 batting average with 47 hits, 10 doubles, 28 RBI, a .592 slugging percentage, and .445 on-base percentage. He made 49 putouts with 94 assists and 12 errors for a .923 fielding percentage. Baker also made five pitching appearances with 4.2 innings and two saves.
One year removed from earning MIAC Player of the Year honors, Novak returns to the All-MIAC Team after starting 35 games in center field and 39 games in the leadoff spot. Novak hit .403 (5th/MIAC) with 47 runs (3rd), 60 hits (3rd), five triples (3rd), five home runs (11th), 32 RBI (11th), 92 total bases (7th), a .467 on-base percentage (6th), and .617 slugging percentage (7th). Novak had 17 multiple-hit games and had the longest hitting streak of the season at 13 games. He also reached base in 25 consecutive games. In the field, Novak made 82 putouts with four errors for a .953 fielding percentage.
Gustafson makes his first appearance on the All-Conference Team after serving as the Gusties’ top middle relief pitcher. Gustafson led the team with 11 appearances and a 1.93 ERA in 37.1 innings. He posted a 3-0 record and held opponents to a .222 batting average while recording 33 strikeouts compared to seven walks.
Glaser also makes his first appearance on the All-MIAC Team after posting the lowest ERA among Gustie starters at 3.24. Glaser made seven starts with eighth appearances and 25 innings. He posted a 3-0 record with 25 strikeouts compared to 14 walks. Glaser held opponents to a team-best .211 batting average.
Dalton Thelen (Sr., Cold Spring) was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.