Monday Sept. 19, 2016

Dawgs 2016 Award Winners

By Ryan Van Keulen
OKOTOKS, Alta. _ The Okotoks Dawgs of the Western Major Baseball League has selected its 2016 Players of the Year. Presentations will be made at the Dawgs Annual Banquet and Fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Okotoks Centennial Center.

Despite an opening round loss in the playoffs, the Dawgs enjoyed another outstanding year. With a record of 34-13, finished first overall in the WMBL claiming the President’s Cup. In addition, five Dawgs (Kellen Marruffo, Utah; Brendan Rose, UBC; Anthony Baldaras, Lewis Clark State; Michael Gretler, Oregon State; CJ Lewington, Arkansas Pine Bluff), were named to the first WMBL All Star Team and one (Taylor Davis, Lower Columbia College) was selected to the WMBL second Team.

2016 Dawgs Players of the Year
Most Valuable Player: _ Kellen Marruffo, University of Utah
In his 2nd year with the Dawgs, Marruffo was one of the most dominant hitters in the WMBL. He led the team in hitting at .378, home runs with 6, and runs with 36. He was named a WMBL 1st Team All Star.

Rookie of the Year:
Michael Gretler Oregon State University.
The versatile Oregon State Beaver gave the Dawgs outstanding defence whether at 3B, C or SS and proved himself one of the league’s top hitters. For the season he batted .336 with a team leading 36 RBIs. He was named a WMBL 1st Team All Star. 

True Grit Player
Brendan Rose (Calgary, Alta.) UBC
The UBC outfielder had another outstanding season with the Dawgs. He batted .359 and led the club in hits with 61, several of them clutch, and with 24 walks posted a .454 on base %. He was named a WMBL 1st Team All Star.

Pitchers of the Year
CJ Lewington (Calgary, Alta.) Arkansas Pine Bluff and Anthony Baldaras Lewis Clark State.
The RHP from Arkansas Pine Bluff was the Dawgs No. 11 starter all season posting a 6-0 record with a .283 ERA with 35 strikeouts. For his outstanding season he was also named a WMBL 1st Team All Star.

Baldaras, a right-hander from perennial & 2016 NAIA National Champions, Lewis Clark State, he was the most dominant reliever in the league. He posted a microscopic 0.85 ERA with 27 strikeouts against just four walks in 20 innings. He was named a WMBL 1st Team All Star.