GREENVILLE, S.C.- The National Christian College Athletic Association announced their postseason regional awards for baseball and the University of Northwestern was very well represented. The Eagles took home the Pitcher of the Year and the Coach of the Year awards, and had five other players named All-Region.

Owen Boerema (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) was named the Pitcher of the Year for the NCCAA North Central Region after an historic year on the mound for the Eagles. Boerema struck out batters at a pace that nobody in UNW history has done before. The junior set the single game record by fanning 21 batters in a game against Crown earlier this season, and last weekend broke the program's single season strikeout record. Entering postseason play, Boerema has 105 strikeouts on the season and is 7-1 with a 1.32 ERA.

The Eagles' Head Coach Dave Hieb was named the North Central Region Coach of the Year after a season filled with milestones. In 2022, Coach Hieb reached 1,000 games coached in his Eagle career and picked up the 500^th win of his career. Coach Hieb and his staff led the Eagles to a second consecutive UMAC Regular Season Championship and will look to defend their UMAC Tournament Championship this week. The Eagles are currently 23-12 on the season and finished the UMAC regular season schedule 17-4.

Bryce Crabb (Des Moines, Iowa/Grand View Christian), the Eagles' dual threat star, was named to the NCCAA North Central All-Region First Team. Crabb finished the regular season on the mound with an 8-1 record and had a 1.83 ERA. The highlight of Crabb's pitching performance this season came in a game against Minnesota-Morris when he struck out nine batters on his way to a no-hitter. Crabb was equally as impressive at the plate in 2022. The junior hit .333, scored 47 runs, drove in 20 more, and had 11 extra base hits including one homerun.

Sam Peterson (Aitkin, Minn./Aitkin) was also named to the All-Region First Team. There was not a tougher out in the Eagles' lineup this season than the senior second baseman. Peterson hit a ridiculous .415 while also hitting for power with 13 doubles and a career high 8 homeruns. Peterson was a threat in the middle of the lineup for the Eagles all season long scoring 33 runs and racking up 38 RBIs.

Keegan Vercoe (Queen Creek, Ariz./Poston Butte) joined his teammates on the All-Region First Team. The Eagles' outfielder turned in the best power hitting season in program history. Vercoe hit 17 homeruns, shattering the single season record of 13 (which he set himself a year ago). In addition to the homeruns, Veroce hit .326, scored 49 runs, and drove in 51 runs.

Guerin Szafraniec (Brighton, Colo./Brighton) was named to the All-Region Second Team. Szafraniec, the senior captain for the Eagles, led the Eagles on the field as well as off the field. Szafraniec hit .328 and racked up 14 extra base hits (8 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 homeruns). Szafraniec scored 26 runs and had 28 RBIs, and was an excellent defensive centerfielder.

Payton Christenson (St. Croix Falls, Wis./St. Croix Falls) was also named to the All-Region Second Team in his first year of collegiate baseball. Christenson spent his freshman season leading off for the Eagles and put up unbelievable numbers. The freshman his .438 in 25 games, hitting 2 homeruns and driving in 19 runs. Christenson added 7 doubles, a triple, and scored 26 runs at the top of the order for UNW.

The Eagles will host the UMAC Tournament beginning today, hosting Wisconsin-Superior at 7:00 P.M.