Monday, May 1, 2006

HUNTINGTON, Ind. -- University of Saint Francis junior outfielder Josh Widman was a first-team selection for the 2006 Mid-Central Conference all-conference team and first-year Cougars’ coach Greg Roberts has been named MCC Coach of the Year.

Widman, a Findlay High School graduate, led USF in batting with a .379 average and set a school record for single-season RBI with 48. Widman broke the previous record of 41 RBI set by Cody Scherer in 2000. Widman led the Cougars with four home runs and a .559 slugging percentage. The 5-foot-10 right fielder boasted .976 fielding percentage and was NAIA Region VIII and MCC Player of the Week (April 10-15).

Roberts, an assistant coach with the Cougars the previous two seasons, guided USF to 23 wins this season, the second highest total in the 43-year history of the program. USF finished 23-30 in 2006 after a 4-29 season in 2005. It was the most wins since USF won 20 in 2000 during a 20-32-1 season. The Cougars were in the MCC playoff hunt until the final game of the season on Saturday, an 8-6 loss at Goshen College knocking USF out of the post-season mix.

“I’m most pleased with the dedication and effort of our team toward regaining a winning attitude,” said Roberts, a Bellfontaine (Ohio) High School and 1981 Ohio Northern University graduate. “We took some very positive steps in that direction and just missed out on playing in the conference tournament. That’s one of our goals. Get in it and win it.”

USF had five players named to the All-MCC team honorable mention – senior centerfielder Andy Papagiannis (Churubusco, IN / Carroll H.S.);  junior pitcher Mark McCarty (Alexandria, IN / Alexandria H.S.); sophomore shortstop Mickey Cassidy (Toledo, OH / St. John’s); sophomore first baseman Jarrod Wehri (Cloverdale, OH / Ottoville H.S.) and freshman pitcher Matt Degitz (Fort Wayne, IN / Northrop H.S.). Papagiannis was a 2006 MCC Player of the Week earlier this season. Degitz was a 2006 MCC Pitcher of the Week earlier this season.

 -- GO USF --