Griffin Keller named A.I.I. Player of the Year
Regina Red Sox alum and Gwinnett Grizzlies slugger Griffin Keller (Pilot Butte, Sask.) has been named the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Player of the Year. Photo: A.I.I.
May 15, 2021
Association of Independent Institutions Baseball News Release
Georgia Gwinnett College outfielder Griffin Keller (Pilot Butte, Sask.) has been named the Association of Independent Institutions Baseball Player of the Year, among five specialty awards honouring outstanding performances on the diamond and in the dugout for the 2021 season.
Tournament champion GGC had players garnering two other postseason awards: Hunter Dollander is the Pitcher of the Year and Jake Defries is the Newcomer of the Year.
Meanwhile, Dennis Santiago of Fisher College (Massachusetts) is the Freshman of the Year, while the Falcons' Scott Dulin is the Coach of the Year award.
Five colleges were represented on the all-conference team, led by Georgia Gwinnett College's eight selections. Fisher, Talladega College (Alabama) and Xavier University (Louisiana) each had two all-A.I.I. selections. Crowley's Ridge College (Arkansas) had one all-conference choices to round out the 2021 honorees.
Keller was named the most outstanding player at the 2021 A.I.I. tournament after driving in seven runs in the championship game. He leads the Grizzlies with a .495 batting average, 12 home runs, 75 RBI, and 76 runs scored heading into NAIA Opening Round play. Keller's 12 home runs have tied the single-season school record.
Dollander anchored GGC's pitching staff, posting a 10-1 record and a 2.73 earned run average in 12 starts this spring. Those performances included a season-high 13 strikeouts, while allowing three hits, in a victory against Crowley's Ridge in the first day of the A.I.I. tournament.
Defries had a .439 batting average, 50 runs scored and 28 stolen bases (in 32 attempts) in his first season with the Grizzlies.
Santiago hit .306 with 26 runs scored and 22 RBIs in 44 games for Fishers, while Dulin led the Falcons to the first NAIA national tournament appearance in program history.
The A.I.I. also recognized Gold Glove team members for their strong defensive play and the Champions of Character team.
This year's honorees are:
Association of Independent Institutions 2021 Baseball All-Conference
Player of the Year: Griffin Keller, Georgia Gwinnett College
Pitcher of the Year: Hunter Dollander, Georgia Gwinnett College
Freshman of the Year: Dennis Santiago, Fisher College
Newcomer of the Year: Jake Defries, Georgia Gwinnett College
Coach of the Year: Scott Dulin, Fisher College
Pitcher – Hunter Dollander, Georgia Gwinnett College
Pitcher – Kevin Kyle, Georgia Gwinnett College
Pitcher – Juwan Fitch, Xavier University (Louisiana)
Pitcher – Oracio De Leon, Talladega College
Relief Pitcher – Hunter Caudelle, Georgia Gwinnett College
Catcher – Austin Bates, Georgia Gwinnett College
First Base – Mitchell Lundholm, Fisher College
Second Base – Nate Finney, Crowley's Ridge College
Shortstop – Gabe Howell, Georgia Gwinnett College
Third Base – Jake Defries, Georgia Gwinnett College
Infielder – Jeffry Roldan, Talladega College
Outfielder – Griffin Keller, Georgia Gwinnett College
Outfielder – John Batista, Fisher College
Outfielder – Co Co Simoneaux, Xavier University (Louisiana)
Outfielder – Wander Arias, Talladega College
Designated Hitter – Livingston Morris, Georgia Gwinnett College
Association of Independent Institutions 2021 Baseball Gold Glove Team
Pitcher – Kevin Kyle, Georgia Gwinnett College
Catcher – Austin Bates, Georgia Gwinnett College
First Base – Dillon Cousin, Xavier University (Louisiana)
Second Base – Reynaldo Vega, Fisher College
Shortstop – Victor Torres, Fisher College
Third Base – Jake Defries, Georgia Gwinnett College
Outfield – Cord Johnson, Georgia Gwinnett College
Outfield – Co Co Simoneaux, Xavier University (Louisiana)
Outfield – Jose Santiago, Talladega College
Association of Independent Institutions 2021 Baseball Champions of Character Team
Trey Gossett, Crowley's Ridge College
Jordan Gosselin, Fisher College
Kyle Harvey, Georgia Gwinnett College
Charles Jones II, Lincoln Christian University
Dylan Miller, Penn State Schulykill
Willie Teague, Rust College
Wander Arias, Talladega College
Bradford Patton, Tougaloo College
Donald Lauer, Voorhees College
Blair Frederick, Xavier University (Louisiana)