Four Miners earn team awards

July 31, 2007

By Jeremiah Bartz/ Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Throughout the 2007 season, Mat-Su head coach Jeff Pritchard has consistently said one thing that sets the Miners apart from other squads, is their ability to understand the concept of team.

&#8220The way these guys play, they don't play for hardware,” Pritchard said.

But on Sunday, the Mat-Su baseball organization had the opportunity to honor a few players individually.

During an awards banquet at Evangelo's Restaurant in Wasilla, the Miners handed out the four team awards for the 2007 season.

Center fielder Carl Uhl was named the position player of the year. Jason Erickson was given the pitcher of the year award. First baseman Michael Ewing was tabbed the overall MVP.

The fourth honor, the Stan Zaborac Award, was given to left fielder Joey August.

On offense, Uhl has been the spark plug in the Miners lineup. As of Monday, the University of California Riverside product stood second in the Alaska Baseball League in both runs scored (33) and stolen bases (24). He's also posted a team-high 37 hits.

&#8220He's a guy who changes the game just by being on the field,” Pritchard said.

Defensively, Uhl anchored the Mat-Su outfield.

Erickson has a mere 3-3 record, as of Monday, but has been legitimate ace on the mound for the Miners.

In 45 innings, he has a 1.80 ERA. Erickson also has 33 strikeouts compared to only five walks.

Pritchard said as strong as Mat-Su's pitching staff has been this season - the team ERA was below 2.00 for most of the summer - he could have given the award to just about anyone.

&#8220Everybody contributed. Everybody wanted to get the ball,” Pritchard said. &#8220(Erickson) embodies what our pitching staff is about.”

Ewing has spent his summer knocking balls out of Hermon Brothers Field, and knocking runners across home plate.

The Southern Mississippi leads the squad with five home runs and 26 RBI. He's also among team leaders in hits (35), runs (24), walks (29) and batting average (.312).

&#8220He's been a clutch player for us,” Pritchard said. &#8220He's a leader on the field and off.”

Ewing also manned the right corner of the infield for most of the season.

When Mat-Su general manager Pete Christopher created the Stan Zaborac Award - named for the late Miners GM, Christopher's predecessor - Christopher had qualities such as sportsmanship in mind for the recipient. Pritchard said August is a perfect example of what the award should represent.

On and off the field, August served as a leader during his second summer in the Valley. And on the field, August spent his time as a consistent producer in the lineup's third

spot.

He is currently hitting .291 with 25 RBI.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.