Three Hope College baseball players have been given All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association recognition for the 2014 season by the league’s coaches, including two All-MIAA First Team selections.
Senior catcher Eric Vachon of Sterling Heights, Michigan (Warren De La Salle HS), and sophomore second baseman Brady VanderWeele of Kalamazoo, Michigan (Parchment HS), both made the All-MIAA First Team.
Senior outfielder Tim Bodine of Gurnee, Illinois (Warren Township HS), received All-MIAA Second Team plaudits.
Both of the All-MIAA First and Second Teams had 12 players selected.
Vachon earned his first All-MIAA First Team recognition after batting a team-high .367 in 28 league games (29-of-79). He totaled 14 extra-base hits during MIAA play, including 12 doubles and one home run, while also recorded a league-high 27 RBIs
VanderWeele claimed his second All-MIAA First Team laurels after hitting .338 in league play (26-of-77) with 26 runs scored. He recorded a .976 fielding percentage with 65 assists and 56 putouts.
Bodine batted .356 in MIAA play (36-of-101) with a team-best 36 runs scored.
Fritz said Vachon had an unbelievable senior season.
“He’s been a leader in our program,” Fritz said. “I always knew he was a very solid hitter. I think he had a great year defensively. He threw out almost 40 percent of potential basestealers. He did a fantastic job working with the pitching staff.”
VanderWeele remained a force for the Flying Dutchmen, Fritz said.
“He’s just got some intangibles that made him a great player,” Fritz said. “He’s a quiet leader who just goes about his business, plays hard. He’s pretty steady — day in and day out.”
Bodine was outstanding in a MIAA season where numerous outfielders excelled, Fritz said.
“He had a very good year offensively,” Fritz said. “He runs the bases extremely well. He is a very smart player. Overall, just a solid year.”