Langhauser Named Fall MVP
October 26, 2007
After batting .441 on the season and leading the team in hits, runs, triples, RBI and stolen bases, sophomore James Langhauser was named the fall 2007 Most Valuable Player. Junior Jon Coens took home the Best Pitcher award for the third time as he tied for the staff lead in wins.
Langhauser was the offensive catalyst for the team, batting both in the leadoff spot and third during the season. He hit .441 on the season, good enough for the team record were it not for the .500 mark put up by freshman Joe Seymour. The two combined with juniors Mike Niedzwiecki and Brian Tabata to produce the four highest batting averages in the history of the club. There can be little doubt that the spring season looks bright with the offensive fire power that the Tartans have developed.
Coens led a pitching staff that returned only one member of the rotation from last spring. The club relied on Jon to be a stabilizing force at the front of the rotation as they developed more inexperienced arms behind him. He came through big, netting the Tartans a complete game win in the first game of the season over NCBA rival Pitt. He also led the team to a blowout victory over conference foe West Virginia. Behind him, the club found support from new players Eric Hayes, Ryan Bottini and Tim Sandy. Hayes won his first start with the club and also contributed a victory over CCAC Boyce. Bottini and Sandy worked both in the rotation and the bullpen, with Sandy getting a complete game victory over Boyce.
Head coach Claudio Reilsono summed the season up:
"At last years end of the season dinner, I knew James was disappointed in his season. He works very hard and has a ton of talent but his numbers did not show that. I told him at the end of the banquet, " You will be the team MVP in the Fall" He worked even harder, played with even more passion, and was the team MVP. No matter what the score, injured or not, James played his heart out and did a great job both at the plate and on defense. Coming up with big hits, driving in key runs, stealing bases just about every time he was on base. On defense he covers more ground than any center fielder in the NCBA in my opinion and has one of the strongest arms in the league if not the strongest. He has a ton of tools and will only get better.
Just about every team Jon Coens pitches against, they come up to me after the game and say " He's the best pitcher we've faced". Jon is one of the best pitchers I've ever coached and every time he takes the mound I know we have a great shot to win the game. Jon's game vs Pitt this season ( CMU won 3-2)was one of the best games I've ever seen him pitch and that I have seen since I started coaching. He hit the corners, was in control of all of his pitches and threw about as hard as he ever did. Great game.
Both guys are great players and even better people and I am truly blessed to have them both on my side."