CONNER CRUMBLISS
There’s no amount of Sunflower Slate karma that can get this done for you, even if this guy had it in spades. Emporia State outfielder Conner Crumbliss was named MIAA player of the year on Monday — which is no surprise to us. Now If only the MIAA had spelled his name right when they decided to announce it. That’s not nitpicking, that’s just … come on, people. But at least they got his stats right. The Ark City native racked up 83 hits (1st in league) 29 stolen bases (2nd), 79 runs (2nd), 25 doubles (2nd), 130 total bases (2nd) and a .413 batting average (3rd). And the Hornets won the MIAA. Game over.
ESU head coach Bob Fornelli won his second straight coach of the year award and, along with CC, put first baseman Kenny Burkhead and catcher Mike Sharp on the first team. Those three were the only guys from Kansas schools that made the first team, but Parsons native C.J. Maffei was a first-team pitcher for Missouri Southern and Wichitan Alex Harvey was a second-teamer for Fort Hays State. Here’s the complete list.
Out.