KANSAS CITY - A tough season for the Lincoln baseball team couldn't overshadow the effort of outfielder Colby Shepherd.
Shepherd was the lone Blue Tiger honored Thursday when the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its all-conference baseball team.
Shepherd, who wrapped up his senior season, led the Blue Tigers in several offensive categories during Lincoln's 7-33 campaign. He was tops on the squad in batting average (.376), hits (53) and RBI (29) and tied for the lead in runs (26), stolen bases (9) and triples (1). He was one shy of the team lead with three home runs.
Another honorable-mention selection was Central Missouri's Brad Wilson. The Helias High School graduate hit .345 this season with 13 doubles, three home runs and 53 RBI. He had a team-best 15-game hitting streak earlier this season.
Here is the complete list of honorees:
Player of the Year
Michael Schulze, shortstop, Missouri Western.
Pitcher of the Year
Brandon Simmons, pitcher, Missouri Western.
Freshman of the Year
Anthony Pacheco, outfielder, Nebraska Kearney.
Coach of the Year
Buzz Verduzco, Missouri Western.
First Team
Starting pitchers: Edgar Lopez, sr., Central Oklahoma; Matt Stalcup, sr., Pittsburg State; Brandon Simmons, sr., Missouri Western.
Relief pitcher: Andrew Urban, sr., Central Missouri.
Catcher: Chase Graskewicz, sr., Central Missouri.
First baseman: *Mike Failoni, jr., Lindenwood.
Second baseman: Jimmy Smelcer, sr., Missouri Western.
Shortstop: *Michael Schulze, jr., Missouri Western.
Third baseman: *Grant Fink, sr., Missouri Western.
Outfielders: Cody Robinson, jr., Northeastern State; Kevin Gratza, jr., Central Missouri; Bubba Dotson, sr., Missouri Western.
Designated hitter: Horace Johnson, jr., Fort Hays State.
Utility: Brian Wuest, sr., Nebraska Kearney.
Unanimous selection
Second Team
Starting pitchers: Travis Higgs, jr., Central Missouri; Dakota McKaskle, jr., Emporia State; Brett Abell, sr., Missouri Southern.
Relief pitcher: Trevor Walch, sr., Northeastern State.
Catcher: Sam Ryan, sr., Missouri Southern.
First baseman: John Oropeza, sr., Central Missouri.
Second baseman: Michael McCoy, sr., Missouri Southern.
Shortstop: Samuel Domingue, sr., Central Missouri.
Third baseman: Eric Dawson, sr., Emporia State.
Outfielders: Aaron Rea, sr., Emporia State; Kyle Simpson, sr., Missouri Western; Ryan Abernathy, jr., Northwest Missouri.
Designated hitter: Eric McGlauflin, jr., Northwest Missouri.
Utility: Kyle Grieshaber, sr., Central Missouri.
Honorable Mention
Starting pitchers: Ethan Sharp, Central Oklahoma; Tayler Davis, Fort Hays State; Ryan Bates, Missouri Southern; Payton Walker, Missouri Southern; Ryker Fox, Northwest Missouri; George Brandecker, Pittsburg State; Taylor Gentry, Washburn.
Relief pitchers: Jake Heissler, Central Missouri; Logan Hollingsworth, Missouri Western; Ryan McKay, Pittsburg State.
Catchers: Mike Wilson, Lindenwood; Jake Schrader, Missouri Western; David Weber, Northeastern State; Jacoby Martin, Pittsburg State.
First basemen: Spencer Shockley, Missouri Western; Ryan Bilovesky, Pittsburg State; Paul Trenhaile, Truman.
Second basemen: Jon Cotter, Central Missouri; Blake Sturgeon, Emporia State; Chris Santoscoy, Fort Hays State; Landon Young, Southwest Baptist; Taylor Herrington, Washburn.
Shortstops: Cesar Wong, Central Oklahoma; Nathan Pridle, Lindenwood; Kegan Knight, Northeastern State.
Third basemen: Matt Johnson, Central Oklahoma; Brad Foss, Pittsburg State.
Outfielders: Tyler Crabtree, Central Oklahoma; Jared Wright, Central Oklahoma; Brad Wilson, Central Missouri; Jordan Slade, Emporia State; Clayton Garland, Fort Hays State; Jordan Miller, Fort Hays State; Colby Shepherd, Lincoln; Wade Rothermich, Lindenwood; Will Wagner, Missouri Southern; Anthony Pacheco, Nebraska Kearney; Kyle Singleton, Northeastern State; Tory Stoffregen, Pittsburg State; Ryan Ventura, Pittsburg State; Corban Williams, Truman; Parker Gibson, Washburn.
Designated hitters: Matt Malloy, Central Oklahoma.
Utility: Ryan Busboom, Fort Hays State; Dallas Burke, Missouri Southern; Nate Ramler, Missouri Western; Blake Marino, Truman.