Baseball Lands Five on Academic All-OAC List

The nationally-ranked Heidelberg University baseball team not only displayed hard work and dedication on the field in 2009, but doubled up its work ethic in the classroom. The Berg landed a program-best five student-athletes on the Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference list. Senior Biagio Boytim (Brunswick, Ohio / Brunswick), junior Steve Decker (Maumee, Ohio / Springfield), along with sophomores Willie Brechun (Canton, Ohio / Canton Central Catholic) and Jason Lash (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) were tabbed first team honorees, while sophomore Nathan James (Rockport, Ind. / South Spencer) earned honorable mention accolades.
 
Ten years ago Matt Palm took over the Berg baseball program and has led the team to a handful of academic honors. Since 2000, Heidelberg baseball has placed a student-athlete on every Academic All-OAC team. Its five academic selections are the most ever in a single year for Heidelberg, toppings its previous best of four in 2000. Its four first team recipients is also a program-best, improving on its three 10 seasons ago.
 
The award winners are selected by the OAC faculty athletic representatives. To be eligible, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average, be a starter or key reserve and be in at least his second year of participation in the sport.
 
Boytim has concluded his four-year playing career on a high note. The chemistry major, with a biology minor, graduated cum laude with a 3.50 gpa. He also earned a spot on ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District IV College Division First Team. Boytim is currently on the ballot for Academic All-America honors. On the field, he garnered a spot on the All-OAC Second Team and the ABCA All-Mideast Region Second Team after ranking second on the team with a .378 batting average and third in hits (62) and doubles (12). The first baseman was also in the top-five on the team with his 40 runs batted in and his 47 runs scored.  Boytim led the team and set a new single-season record for hit by pitches at 18.
 
A business administration major, with a sports management minor, Decker has accumulated a 3.51 gpa. He has not only caught strike outs this season, but also ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District IV College Division Second Team honors, as well as his second-straight All-OAC selection. Decker had one of his best years at the plate, hitting .338 with 42 hits in 154 at bats. He was also one of the leaders on the team with his 11 doubles, 33 runs batted in and his 36 runs scored. Behind the plate, Decker had a .988 fielding percentage and threw out 12 would be base stealers.
 
Picking up his first academic honor of his career is Brechun. In the classroom, Brechun is studying biology and boasts a 3.64 gpa. His academic accolade joins his nod on the All-OAC Honorable Mention list. He split his time at the hot corner and as the designated hitter. Brechun ranked second on the team with 13 doubles. At the plate he hit .320 with 48 hits in 150 at bats. He knocked in 31 runs, while scoring 31 of his own.
 
An all-around student-athlete is Lash. In just his second year, he has already found his name among the top academically in the OAC, as well as athletically. He is a two-time All-OAC First Team and ABCA All-Mideast Region selection, while studying chemistry with a minor in biology and mathematics. He carries a  3.55 gpa. Lash also joined Boytim and Decker on ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District IV College Division as a second team honoree. Lash has been the starting short stop since coming to Heidelberg. This year he was second on the team with 47 RBIs, six home runs and 56 runs scored, while standing third in hits (62) and tied for fourth in doubles (11). For the year he hit .341, highlighted by hitting for the cycle against Capital University April 8.
 
In his first year in the starting rotation was James and he took advantage of his opportunities. Alongside  from his pitching, James concentrates on the well being of the student-athletes at Heidelberg as an athletic training major, which he is serious about as he carries a 3.92 grade point average. In eight appearances, James posted a 4-0 record. He threw 29.1 innings and finished the year with a 5.52 earned run average. James struck out 20 batters, while giving up 36 hits.
 
Heidelberg closed out the year at 37-9 overall and 15-3 against league foes. The Berg claimed the program’s fourth OAC Regular Season Championship (2003, 2007, 2008, 2009) and its third tournament title (2004, 2008, 2009). Its 37 wins ranks second all-time for wins in a season, and marks the fifth time that the Berg has eclipsed the 30-win plateau.