Austintown, Ohio – May 26, 2011- The nationally ranked Heidelberg University baseball team not only performed on the field this season, but in the classroom as well. The Berg placed five student-athletes on the 2011 Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference Team. All five student-athletes were named to the first team, which ties its record from a season ago.
Earning academic recognition from the OAC was seniorsJason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville), Andy Lowe (Fort Wayne, Ind. / Carroll), Alex Monroe (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston), Nathan James (Rockport, Ind. / South Spencer) and Andrew Buelow (Marysville, Mich. / Marysville).
The Academic All-OAC Team is voted on by the league’s 10 faculty athletic administrators. To be eligible you must be at least a sophomore and in your second year of eligibility at the institution, a starter or key reserve and maintain a minimum grade point average.
A four-year starter at short stop, Lash is picking up his third consecutive Academic All-OAC First Team nod. Lash graduated with a degree in chemistry. He joins Sean Hoover (1994-96) as the only baseball student-athlete in history of the program to earn first team honors three times. In his final campaign he also was named to the Capital One Academic All-District IV First Team, as well as the Mideast Region First Team and the OAC First Team. Lash will graduate as the all-time career leader in doubles (67) and total bases (419). In his final campaign he hit .369 with 66 hits in 179 at bats. He knocked in 38 runs, while scoring 46 of his own.
Picking up his second straight first team recognition for his work as an accounting major is Lowe. Earlier this week Lowe, a four-year closer, was named a D3Baseball.com First Team All-American following landing a spot on the OAC First Team and the Mideast Region First Team. He also earned a spot on the Capital One Academic All-District IV Second Team. This season Lowe became the all-time career saves leader in NCAA Division III with 44. He will also graduate as the Heidelberg career saves leader, lowest ERA (2.14) record holder and lowest opponent’s batting average (.214) leader. He topped the Berg single season saves record every year, finishing with 14 in 2011. This season he led the team with a 2.08 earned run average in 65.0 innings of work. He posted a 5-1 record and had 58 strike outs.
Another repeat honoree on the Academic All-OAC list is Monroe. His first team nod joins his honorable mention selection from a season ago. Aside from his academic honors this season, Monroe earned his first spot on the All-OAC Second Team and the Mideast Region Third Team. Monroe also helped lead the Berg through the postseason, earning a spot on the OAC and the Mideast Regional All-Tournament Teams. A three-year starter in left field, Monroe graduated with a degree in accounting. This season he tied the single season record for hit by pitches (23), while moving atop the career record book with 51. At the plate, he had his best season, hitting .368 with 67 hits in 182 at bats. He had 38 RBI and scored 48 runs.
James returns to the Academic All-OAC list in his final season on the mound. He previously was named to the honorable mention team as a sophomore. James graduated with a degree in athletic training and has finished his career on a high note. He also was named to the Capital One Academic All-District IV Second Team. Aside from his academic honors, James earned his first nod on the OAC First Team and the Mideast Region Second Team. He was second on the pitching staff with a 2.38 earned run average. In 11 appearances James posted a 7-1 record with 53 strike outs. James, along with Lowe, helped to lead the staff to a new single season ERA record of 3.49.
Earning his first academic accolade from the league is Buelow. A health and physical education major, Buelow’s efforts also earned him Capital One Academic All-District IV First Team honors. He also was named to the All-OAC Honorable Mention Team, marking the first time he has earned a spot on the team. The starting center fielder batted .313 with 47 hits in 150 at bats. He scored 28 runs, while knocking in 25.