BETHANY, W.Va. – The All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) baseball teams were released Tuesday and the Bethany College program was well represented with three players earning all-conference recognition and head coach Rick Carver being tabbed as the league’s Coach of the Year.
Kubis, who is the first Bison freshman to receive First Team distinction since Ian Dunn in 2004, anchored the Bethany line-up and the back end of the bullpen. With the stick, he batted. .455, the highest average by a BC player since Mike Houck hit .489 in 2000 and his 66 hits this year are the second-most in school history behind only Houck’s total of 69 from that same year. Kubis also led BC with 43 RBIs, scored 36 runs and clubbed nine doubles.
As the Bethany closer, Kubis leads all of Division III with 12 saves, which also set a new single-season record at the school. In 18 1/3 innings of work, he allowed three earned runs on 19 hits for a 1.47 ERA and struck out 16. The right-hander converted 12-of-14 save opportunities and finished with a 1-1 record as well.
“Brad is very deserving of this honor at both positions,” said Carver. “His numbers speak for themselves and his production is one of the main reasons we’re in postseason play this year.”
A biology major, Brad is the son of Bob and Terri Kubis of Aliquippa, Pa.
This is Leasure’s second turn on First Team All-PAC in his career, which comes after a huge year at the plate. The senior broke the Bethany single-season record by mashing 10 home runs and also drove in 38 runs while batting .350. He added in nine doubles and one triple for a slugging percentage of .683, the fourth-best total in one year at the school.
His final year in Green and White solidified Leasure as one of the most prolific sluggers in Bison history. He shattered the school’s career home run record with 26 blasts, surpassing the previous total of 18. Heading into the ECAC playoffs, Leasure is also second in Bethany history with 118 RBIs, third with 269 total bases and tied for seventh with 155 hits.
“This caps off an outstanding career for Chris,” said Carver. “We are very happy to see him earn this honor. His turnaround from last year to this year was also a big reason for our success.”
A physical education major, Chris is the son of Merle and Sandy Leasure of Stafford, Ohio.
Dillinger repeated as a Second Team All-PAC selection after serving as the prototypical leadoff man in the Bison line-up. He notched team-highs with 43 runs scored, 13 doubles, two triples and 24 walks while posting an on-base percentage of .467. Dillinger also tagged one home run, collected 19 RBIs and made just one error in 108 chances in center field for a .991 fielding percentage.
Although he still has one year left as a Bison, Dillinger is steadily climbing up the Bethany career charts in several categories. He is already tied for fifth with six triples, has 148 hits to rank 10th all-time at BC and is in the top 10 with 95 runs scored.
“We felt Tyler was deserving of First Team based on his runs scored, on-base percentage and more than 100 putouts in center field, but the PAC was loaded with outfielders this year,” said Carver. “So we are looking for him to earn a spot on First Team in 2011. As important as he was on the field with his production, you can’t overlook his value in leadership as a captain.”
A secondary education/social studies major, Tyler is the son of George Dillinger of McKeesport, Pa.
Now in his 20th year at the helm of the Bison, Carver receives his fourth PAC Coach of the Year following a remarkable turnaround in 2010. After finishing last year with a 3-33 mark, BC completed the 2010 regular season with a 20-17 mark, which included victories over NCAA qualifiers Manhattanville and Thomas More, a tie for fourth place in the PAC regular season standings and a berth in this week’s ECAC Tournament, the program’s fourth postseason bid and first since 2000.
