Sandburg Baseball Claims 7 Spots on All-Arrowhead Team
Aaron Frey
Thursday, May 18, 2017 1:59 PM
Athletics
Galesburg, IL
The Carl Sandburg College accounted for seven spots on the 2017 All-Arrowhead Conference baseball team, the most of any school, and one Chargers player garnered honors as a pitcher and position player.
Sandburg’s six players on the squad tied Black Hawk for the most from one team, and Chargers sophomore Levi Brening (Coon Rapids, Minn./DuQuoin) was named to the team as an outfielder and a pitcher. Other Chargers receiving All-Arrowhead nods were infielders Mitchell Ellison (East Moline, Ill./United Township) and Jordan Chandler (Erie, Ill./Erie), outfielder Payton Hartbank (Mattoon, Ill./Mattoon), catcher Marty Mennenga (Rantoul, Ill./Paxton-Buckley-Loda) and designated hitter Shane Coleman (Abingdon, Ill./Abingdon-Avon).
Brening led Sandburg in nearly every offensive category in Arrowhead play. In 67 plate appearances over 18 conference games, Brening batted .481 with a .569 on-base percentage and .963 slugging percentage — all team highs. He also led the Chargers with seven home runs, 21 RBIs, 21 runs scored and tied for the team lead with nine walks. He also hit five doubles — tied for second among Chargers — and was 2 for 2 in stolen base attempts.
Brening also led Sandburg is almost every pitching category in conference games. He was tied for first in innings (31), appearances (five) and starts (five). He posted a 4-1 record against Arrowhead opponents, boasting a team-leading 2.90 ERA. He also led the Chargers in strikeouts (45) while walking just eight batters.
Chandler put together an impressive freshman campaign at first base, finishing second among Chargers in on-base percentage (.507), slugging (.698), homers (four), doubles (five) and runs (20). He wasn’t caught while stealing a team-best five bases and matched Brening for the team lead in walks, with nine. Chandler’s .377 batting average was third among Chargers.
Coleman finished second to Brening in batting average (.421) and RBIs (19) while also leading the team with nine doubles in conference games during his freshman season, primarily as the Chargers’ designated hitter. He also posted a .493 on-base percentage and .667 slugging percentage, both good for third on the team, and scored 18 runs.
Ellison, a two-year starter at third base, provided a steady glove at hot corner, making just one error in 32 chances for a .969 fielding percentage. He also was a key part of the Chargers’ lineup, hitting .357/.415/.536 with two homers, four doubles, 13 RBIs and 15 runs scored.
Hartbank didn’t commit and error in 24 chances in center field while also contributing an outfield assist during his freshman season. At the plate, he hit .328/.403/.500 with five doubles, a homer, 14 RBIs and 19 runs scored. He also was 4 for 4 in steal attempts.
Mennenga, a sophomore in his first year at catcher, also served as the Chargers’ leadoff man for much of the season. Against conference opponents he batted .303/.343./.455 with a home run, five doubles, 14 RBIs and 16 runs scored. He also gunned down five baserunners attempting to steal.
2017 All-Arrowhead Conference Baseball Team
Infielders — Gama Martinez (Black Hawk), Connor Lowrie (Black Hawk), Anthony Smith (Black Hawk), Jordan Chandler (Sandburg), Mitchell Ellison (Sandburg), Brady Huebbe (Illinois Valley).
Outfielders — Pedro Alfonseca (Black Hawk), Levi Brening (Sandburg), Payton Hartbank (Sandburg), Tommy Hansen (Kishwaukee), Alex Soto (Kishwaukee).
Catchers — Marty Mennenga (Sandburg), Garet Zinke (Illinois Valley).
Designated hitter — Shane Coleman (Sandburg).
Pitchers — Zack Erdman (Black Hawk), Roger Wilson (Black Hawk), Levi Brening (Sandburg), Ross Weber (Illinois Valley).