Regents Catch Defensive Honors

ROCKFORD, IL – The Rockford College baseball season may have ended several weeks ago, but the honors for Regents baseball players are still rolling in.  This week, the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) honored the two Regents seniors by naming them to the 2009 Rawlings Golden Gloves Midwest Region Team.  Shaun Dascher (Lena, IL/ Lena-Winslow) and Rob Wiest (Machesney Park, IL/ Harlem) both completed their eligibility at the conclusion of the 2009 season, one which the Regents finished 27-14.

Dascher, a three-year starter in centerfield, remained a defensive stalwart for the Regents in 2009.  The senior sports management major had a .988 fielding percentage for the season, making just one error in his 83 total chances. 

Wiest, a catching veteran with 159 career starts, was among the best defensive catchers in the nation.  Opposing teams knew not to run on him, evidenced by only eight steal attempts on Wiest, with six of those runners caught stealing.  Wiest also recorded 26 assists and a .984 fielding percentage.

“This is a great honor for these young men,” said Regents skipper Bob Koopmann.  “This is a testament to the hard work that these student-athletes have put into their games throughout their careers.  They have been excellent leaders for our program in terms of their dedication and work ethic.  Both will be sorely missed.”

This is not the first honor in 2009 for either player.  Dascher was named to the All-Northern Athletics Conference first team and the ABCA All-Midwest Region third team, while Wiest received honorable mention from the NAC.