Knox College Prairie Fire

2022-23

• Most Valuable Player - Cole Shepherd (Jr., Hillsboro, Va.)
• Most Valuable Defender - Etienne Thomas (So., Tunis, Tunisia)
• Most Improved Player - Joe Krantz (Fy., Batavia, Ill.)
• Team Captains - Jason Clark (Sr., Victoria, Ill.) and Evan Laws (Jr., Rock Falls, Ill.)

2021-22

• Most Valuable Player - Evan Laws (So., Rock Falls, Ill.)
• Most Valuable Defender - Chris McTeague (Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Most Improved Player - Caleb Hay (Fy., Bennington, Vt.)
• Team Captains - Matt Shover (Sr., Barry, Ill.) and Flynn Hersh (Sr., Glenview, Ill.)

• Most Valuable Player - Matt Shover (Jr., Barry, Ill.)
• Most Valuable Defender - Evan Laws (Fy., Rock Falls, Ill.)
• Most Improved Player - Kendall Ballman (So., Effingham, Ill.)
• Team Captains - Matt Shover (Jr., Barry, Ill.) and Chris McTeague (Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah)

• Most Valuable Player- Senior Class

2018-2019

• Most Valuable Player - Justin Woodard (Jr., Wood Lawn, IL)
• Most Valuable Defender - Brendan Powers (Jr., Bourbonnais, IL) 
• Most Improved Player - Davin Conway (So., Sarcoxie, MO)
• South Newcomer of the year - EJ Roncone (Fy., Lindenhurst, IL)
• Team Captains -  Justin Woodard (Jr., Wood Lawn, IL), Andrew Ponce (Jr., Bloomington, IL)
• All-MWC team - Dalton James (Sr., Homer, IL), Andrew Ponce (Jr., Bloomington, IL) , Kobe Shutter (Jr., Kankakee, IL)
• Arvid Pierre Zetterberg Jr. Prize for Men - Charlie Gibbons (Fy., Alton, IL)

2017-2018

• Most Valuable Player- Dalton James (Jr., Homer, IL)
• Most Valuable Defender- Dalton James (Jr., Homer, IL)
• Most Improved Player- Brady Sember (So., Streator, IL)
• Team Captains- Matt McCaffrey (Sr., Wilmette, IL), Dalton James (Jr., Homer, IL)
• All-MWC team- Dalton James (Jr., Homer, IL), Paul Sanders (Sr., Rock Island, IL)
• John W. Hilding Prize- Matt McCaffrey (Sr., Wilmette, IL)
• K-Club Award for Men- Kobe Shutter (So., Kankakee, IL)
• Hunter Trophy- Matt McCaffrey (Sr., Wilmette, IL)
• d3baseball.com All-Central Region Third Team- Paul Sanders (Sr., Rock Island, IL)
• Most career stolen bases(74)- Paul Sanders (Sr., Rock Island, IL)
• Most career runs scored(117)- Paul Sanders (Sr., Rock Island, IL)
• Most stolen bases in a single season(38)- Paul Sanders (Sr., Rock Island, IL)
• Most stolen bases in a season for team(79)

2016-2017

• Most Valuable Player- Drake Sykes (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• Most Valuable Defender- Ryan Weitendorf (Sr., New Lenox, IL)
• Most Improved- Andrew Recker (So., Huntingburg, IL), Stryker Davies (So., Glenrock, WY), Larry Murray (Jr., Dardenne Prarie, MO)
• Team Captains- Matt McCaffrey (Jr., Wilmette, IL), Ken Bartelt (Sr., Buffalo Grove, IL)
• Career steals- Drake Sykes(48) (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• Most steals in a season for team (79)
• Most career strikeouts- Alec Jordan(194) (So., Evanston, IL)
• Most career home runs- Ryan Weitendorf(26) (Sr., New Lenox, IL)
• Most career hits- Drake Sykes (173) (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• Most career RBI- Ryan Weitendorf (122) (Sr., New Lenox, IL)
• Most career total bases- Drake Sykes (284) (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• ABCA/Rawlings All-American Third team- Drake Sykes (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region First Team- Drake Sykes (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• d3baseball.com All-Central Region First Team- Drake Sykes (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• All-MWC team- Drake Sykes (Sr., Galesburg, IL) Matt McCaffrey (Jr., Wilmette, IL)
• MWC Performer of the Week- Drake Sykes (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• John W. Hilding Prize- Drake Sykes (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• Dean Trevor Memorial Award- Kam Wells (Sr., Champaing, IL)
• Harley Knosher Male Athlete of the Year Award- Drake Sykes (Sr., Galesburg, IL)

2015-2016

• Harley Knosher Male Athlete of the Year Award - Drake Sykes (Jr., Galesburg, IL)
• K Club Award for Men - Matt McCaffrey (So., Wilmette, IL)
• Most Valuable Player - Drake Sykes (Jr., Galesburg, IL)
• Most Improved Player - Tristyn Ruiz (Fy., Waukegan, IL)
• Most Valuable Defensive Player - Matt McCaffrey (So., Wilmette, IL)
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Drake Sykes (Jr.., Galesburg, IL)
• 2015-16 Captains - Marty Salazar (Sr., Normal, IL) and Matt McCaffrey (So., Wilmette, IL)
• All-Midwest Conference South Division - Drake Sykes (Jr.., Galesburg, IL)
• ABCA/Rawlings All-America Second Team - Drake Sykes (Jr.., Galesburg, IL)
• D3baseball.com All-American Honorable Mention- Drake Sykes (Jr., Galesburg, IL)
• ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region First Team - Drake Sykes (Jr.., Galesburg, IL)
• D3baseball.com All-Central Region First Team - Drake Sykes (Jr., Galesburg, IL)
• New Single-Season Records/Individual - Drake Sykes total bases (97)

2014-2015

• Arvid P. Zetterberg, Jr. Prize for Men - Matt McCaffrey (Fy., Wilmette, IL)
• K Club Award for Men - Drake Sykes (So., Galesburg, IL)
• Most Valuable Player - Drake Sykes (So., Galesburg, IL)
• Most Improved Player - Tom Janczur (Fy., Darien, IL)
• Most Valuable Defensive Player - Drake Sykes (So., Galesburg, IL)
• 2014-15 Captains - Drake Sykes (So., Galesburg, IL), Matt McCaffrey (Fy., Wilmette, IL)
• All-Midwest Conference South Division - Drake Sykes (So., Galesburg, IL)
• ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region First Team - Drake Sykes (So., Galesburg, IL)
• D3baseball.com All-Central Region Second Team - Drake Sykes (So., Galesburg, IL)
• Midwest Conference Position Player of the Week - Matt McCaffrey (Fy., Wilmette, IL) - April 6, 2015
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Alex Bell (So., Elgin, IL), Drake Sykes (So., Galesburg, IL), Matt McCaffrey (Fy., Wilmette, IL)
• New Single-Season Records/Individual - Drake Sykes hits (60) and total bases (92)
• New Single-Season Record/Team - Pitching Strikeouts (210)
• New Single-Game Record/Team - Pitching Strikeouts (16) vs. Robert Morris University-Peoria, 3/15/15
• Academic All-Midwest Conference - Ken Bartelt (So., Buffalo Grove, IL), Austin Bevenue (Jr., Millstadt, IL), Austen Lake (Sr., Albers, IL), Matt McCaffrey (Fy., Wilmette, IL), Kosuke Nishitani (Fy., Plano, TX), Marty Salazar (Jr., Normal, IL), Andrew Sparrow (Sr., Sullivan, IL), Ryan Weitendorf (So., New Lenox, IL), Kam Wells (So., Champaign, IL)

2013-2014

• John W. Hilding Prize - Erik Smoy (Sr., Hoffman Estates, IL)
• Most Valuable Player - Erik Smoy (Sr., Hoffman Estates, IL)
• Most Improved Player - Marty Salazar (So., Normal, IL)
• Most Valuable Defensive Player - Erik Smoy (Sr., Hoffman Estates, IL)
• 2013-14 Captains - Erik Smoy (Sr., Hoffman Estates, IL), Peter Marquardt (Sr., Clarendon Hills, IL), Paul Mills (Sr., Moline, IL)
• All MWC South - Erik Smoy (Sr., Hoffman Estates, IL)
• New Single-Season Records: Erik Smoy (Sr. Hoffman Estates, IL): runs batted in (49); Phil Tallman (Sr., Park Ridge, IL): runs scored (47); TEAM: hits (357), runs (248), total bases (464), pitching strikeouts (202)
• Academic All-Midwest Conference - Ken Bartelt (Fy., Buffalo Grove, IL), Derek Cochran (Sr., Auburn, IL), Nathaniel Grady (Sr., Antelope, CA), Geoff Hahn (So., Cameron, IL), Austen Lake (Jr., Albers, IL), Bryan Leslie (Sr., Richmond, IL), Peter Marquardt (Sr., Clarendon Hills, IL), Paul Mills (Sr., Moline, IL), Mike O'Connell (Sr., Park Ridge, IL), Erik Smoy (Sr., Hoffman Estates, IL), Andrew Sparrow (Jr., Sullivan, IL), Phil Tallman (Sr., Park Ridge, IL), Ryan Weitendorf (Fy., New Lenox, IL), Kam Wells (Fy., Champaign, IL)

2012-2013

• John W. Hilding Prize - Michael Schroeder (Sr., Glenview, IL)
• Dean Trevor Memorial Award for Men - Michael Schroeder (Sr., Glenview, IL)
• Most Valuable Player - Erik Smoy (Jr., Park Ridge, IL)
• Most Improved Player(s) - Paul Mills (Jr., Moline, IL), Phil Tallman (Jr., Park Ridge, IL)
• Most Valuable Defensive Player - Kyle Walenga (Sr., San Francisco, CA)
• 2012-2013 Co-Captains - Kyle Walenga (Sr., San Francisco, CA) , Michael Schroeder (Sr., Glenview, IL)
• All MWC South - Caleb Weaver (Sr., Galesburg, IL), Kyle Walenga (Sr., San Francisco, CA), Phil Tallman (Jr., Park Ridge, IL), Erik Smoy (Jr., Park Ridge, IL), Paul Mills (Jr., Moline, IL)
• 2013 MWC South Pitcher of the Year - Paul Mills (Jr., Moline, IL)
• 2013 ABCA All Central Region Second Team - Caleb Weaver (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• 2013 DIII Baseball All Central Region Second Team - Caleb Weaver (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• 2013 MWC South Coach of the Year - Jami Isaacson
• MWC South Division Champions
• Third Place MWC Tournament
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Phil Tallman, 5/8/2013 (Jr., Park Ridge, IL)
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Erik Smoy, 4/24/2013 (Jr., Park Ridge, IL),
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Dustin Armstrong 4/10/2013
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Caleb Weaver 3/27/2013 (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Jackson White 3/13/2013 (Jr., Grayslake, IL)
• MWC Academic All-Conference 2012-13 - Michael Belitz, Ryan Hoffman, Martin Salazar, Ryan Stoens, Phil Tallman (Jr., Park Ridge, IL), Kyle Walenga (Sr., San Francisco, CA), Jackson White, Michael Schroeder (Sr., Glenview, IL)

2011-2012

• David Agar Athletic Service Award - Jim Isaacson
• All-Midwest Conference South Division - Jackson White (So., Grayslake, IL), Caleb Weaver (Jr., Galesburg, IL), Erik Smoy (So., Hoffman Estates, IL), Ryan Hoffman (Jr., Sugar Grove, IL), Nathaniel Grady (Fy., Antelope, CA)
• Academic All-Midwest Conference - Michael Belitz (So., Sheboygan, WI), Ryan Hoffman (Jr., Sugar Grove, IL), Doug Lillibridge (Jr., Byron, IL), Michael Schroeder (Jr., Glenview, IL), Ryan Stoens (Jr., Bartonville, IL), Kyle Walenga (Jr., San Francisco, CA), Jackson White (So., Grayslake, IL)
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Bryan Leslie (So., Richmond, IL) - April 25, 2012
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Kyle Walenga (Jr., San Francisco, CA) - March 26, 2012
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Caleb Weaver (Jr., Galesburg, IL) - March 19, 2012
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Michael O'Connell (So., Park Ridge, IL) - March 7, 2012
• Midwest Conference South Division second place
• Midwest Conference Tournament qualifier

2010-2011

• John W. Hilding Prize - Colin Davis (Sr., Canton, IL)
• K-Club Award for Men - Michael Schroeder (So., Glenview, IL)
• David Agar Athletic Service Award - Zach Ricketts (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• All-Midwest Conference South Division - Jackson White (Fy., Grayslake, IL)
• Academic All-Midwest Conference - Colin Davis (Sr., Canton, IL), Grant Deam (So., Bourbonnais, IL), C.J. Foster (So., Batavia, IL), Carl Hammer (Sr., Cambridge, IL), Ryan Hoffman (So., Sugar Grove, IL), Michael Schroeder (So., Glenview, IL), Ryan Stoens (So., Bartonville, IL), Kyle Walenga (So., San Francisco, CA), Logan Willits (Sr., Aledo, IL)
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Colin Davis (Sr., Canton, IL) - March 24, 2011 and May 11, 2011
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Erik Smoy (Fy., Hoffman Estates, IL) - April 27, 2011

2009-2010

• Arvid P. Zetterberg, Jr. Prize for Men - Michael Schroeder (Fr., Glenview, IL)
• Hunter Scholastic Athletic Trophy - Tyler Hopfauf (Sr., Wauconda, IL)
• Most Valuable Player - Colin Davis (Jr., Canton, IL)
• Most Improved Player - Michael Schroeder (Fr., Glenview, IL)
• Most Valuable Defensive Player - Alex Petik (Sr., Mount Prospect, IL)
• Academic All-Midwest Conference - Colin Davis (Jr., Canton, IL), Carl Hammer (Jr., Cambridge, IL), Sam Magnuson (Sr., Altona, IL)

2007-2008

• Dean S. Trevor Award for Men - Greg Leibach (Sr., St. Louis, MO)
• Sandburg Mental Toughness Award - Greg Leibach (Sr., St. Louis, MO)
• Most Valuable Player - Paul Bennett (Sr., Edwards, IL)
• Most Valuable Defensive Player - George Nicholson (So., Marengo, IL)
• Most Improved Player - John Curtin (Jr., Brooklyn, NY)
• 2008-09 Captains - Sammy Almohandis (Jr., Tulsa, OK), Adam Estergard (Jr., Urbana, IL), Kevin Malone (Jr., Bushnell, IL)
• NCAA Division III Baseball Championship qualifier
• Midwest Conference champions
• Midwest Conference South Division champions
• Host of the 2008 Midwest Conference Baseball Championship
• Midwest Conference South Division Player of the Year - Paul Bennett (Sr., Edwards, IL)
• Midwest Conference South Division Coach of the Year - Jami Isaacson
• First Team All-Midwest Conference South Division - Sammy Almohandis (Jr., Tulsa, OK), Paul Bennett (Sr., Edwards, IL), Colin Davis (Fr., Canton, IL), Luke Hunter (Sr., Edwards, IL)
• Second Team All-Midwest Conference South Division - Greg Leibach (Sr., St. Louis, MO), Kevin Malone (Jr., Bushnell, IL)
• ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Baseball First Team - Paul Bennett (Sr., Edwards, IL)
• Academic All-Midwest Conference - Paul Bennett (Sr., Edwards, IL), James Clark (Jr., Victoria, IL), Greg Leibach (Sr., St. Louis, MO), Sam Magnuson (So., Altona, IL), Kevin Malone (Jr., Bushnell, IL), Ian Pope (Jr., Des Moines, IA)
• National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) NCAA Division III Pitcher of the Week honorable mention - Jordan Ball (Fr., Cuba, IL) - May 8, 2008
• Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week - Jordan Ball (Fr., Cuba, IL) - May 5, 2008
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Jordan Ball (Fr., Cuba, IL) - May 12, 2008
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Sammy Almohandis (Jr., Tulsa, OK) - April 21, 2008
• Hunter Scholastic Athletic Trophy - Greg Leibach (Sr., St. Louis, MO)
• K-Club Award for Men - Kevin Malone (Jr., Bushnell, IL)
• Arvid P. Zetterberg, Jr. Prize for Men - Sam Magnuson (So., Altona, IL)

2006-2007

• Most Valuable Player - Jake Ayers (Sr., Hanna City, IL) and Steve Hoosen (Sr., Galesburg, IL)
• Most Valuable Defensive Player - Kevin Malone (So., Bushnell, IL)
• Most Improved Player - Greg Leibach (Jr., St. Louis, MO)
• First Team All-Midwest Conference South Division - Jake Ayers (Sr., Hanna City, IL), Paul Bennett (Jr., Edwards, IL), Adam Estergard (So., Urbana, IL), Steve Hoosen (Sr., Galesburg, IL), Luke Hunter (Jr., Edwards, IL), Greg Leibach (Sr., St. Louis, MO), Kevin Malone (So., Bushnell, IL)
• Academic All-Midwest Conference - Paul Bennett (Jr., Edwards, IL), John Campbell (Sr., O'Fallon, IL), Greg Leibach (Sr., St. Louis, MO), Kevin Malone (So., Bushnell, IL)
• ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District V Baseball Second Team - Paul Bennett (Jr., Edwards, IL)
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Steve Hoosen (Sr., Galesburg, IL) - May 14, 2007
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Greg Leibach (Jr., St. Louis, MO) - April 23, 2007
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Jake Ayers (Sr., Hanna City, IL) - April 16, 2007
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Kevin Malone (So., Bushnell, IL) - March 19, 2007
• K-Club Award for Men - Paul Bennett (Jr., Edwards, IL) - November 8, 2006
• Arvid P. Zetterberg, Jr. Prize for Men - Kevin Malone (So., Bushnell, IL) - November 8, 2006

2005-2006

• Midwest Conference South Division co-Player of the Year - Matt Briggs (Sr., Bartonville, IL)
• First Team All-Midwest Conference South Division - Paul Bennett (So., Edwards, IL), Matt Briggs (Sr., Bartonville, IL), John Campbell (Jr., O'Fallon, IL), Nate Harres (Sr., Millstadt, IL), Steve Hoosen (Jr., Galesburg, IL)
• Academic All-Midwest Conference - Paul Bennett (So., Edwards, IL), John Campbell (Jr., O'Fallon, IL), Greg Leibach (So., Saint Louis, MO)
• Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Week - Tim Pauley (Pearl City, IL) - March 28, 2006
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Matt Briggs (Sr., Bartonville, IL) - April 25, 2006
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Nate Harres (Sr., Millstadt, IL) - April 11, 2006
• Prairie Fire Performer of the Week - Tim Pauley (Pearl City, IL) - March 28, 2006