Photo by: Eli Emerson
St. Cloud State Baseball to Honor Seniors Friday
4/29/2022 1:04:00 PM | Baseball
Huskies will honor nine seniors in-between games of doubleheader vs. Minnesota Crookston
ST. CLOUD, Minn. - St. Cloud State Baseball and head coach Pat Dolan will honor its nine seniors in between games of Friday's doubleheader against Minnesota Crookston. Below is a look at each senior's contributions to the Husky program.Â
FROM COACH DOLAN:
"We are so blessed to have such a great group of nine young man that is represented in our Husky BASEBALL Family to the highest level. Whether they are one-year, five-year transfers or super six-year seniors. For everything they've had to go through with COVID and almost everyone of them battling some sort of an injury during. Throughout their career, you've never heard them complain or not be team players. Their overall GPA is the highest of any group of seniors in my 30 years with over a 3.5. So proud to be called their coach and looking forward to what the rest of the season brings to the Husky's and their future as proud Husky alums!"
SHANNON AHERN
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A sixth-year senior and three-year captain, Shannon Ahern epitomizes what it means to be a Husky baseball player. Shannon has posted a 16-8 career record with a 4.36 ERA in 165 innings of work while striking out 143 batters. In his 2018 sophomore campaign, Ahern won a career-best seven games in 51.1 innings of work and won NSIC Gold Glove honors as a pitcher. Shannon is a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree and is currently pursuing his Master's of Business Administration at SCSU. Shannon is the son of Patrick and Barbara Ahern.
"Shannon epitomizes what it is to be a Husky baseball player," said Dolan. "To come back for his super sixth year after being a full-time employee says enough. Being a three-year captain says enough. Earning his masters degree and all the things he does for the athletic department says enough. His come back after his major else elbow injury says enough. His career stats and how many big games he's pitch and won the last six years says enough. Enough said!
NICK BRAUNS
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A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Nick Brauns spent two seasons at Glendale College before joining the Huskies for the 2020 season. Nick has made 22 appearances in a Husky uniform and owns a 4-1 record and 3.35 ERA with 40 strikeouts to his name. This season, Nick leads the team in appearances with 13 and earned runs allowed with six, while rankings second in ERA at 2.31. Nick will graduate with a degree in Leadersnip and Organizational Methods and is the son of Matt and Kelly Brauns.
"Another senior coming back for an extra year after he graduate so his commitment to our Husky BASEBALL Family," said Dolan. "He is such a team player and has accepted every role we have put him into after being a big-time starter at the junior college level. He's also battled some injuries and never complained once and when he's on with his slider he's one of the best relief guys we've had."
REID CONLEE
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A four-year contributor for the Huskies, Reid Conlee has hit five home runs and had 18 RBI in his career. This season, Reid has hit .294 in 17 at-bats with one homer and two RBI. Reid has earned two NSIC Academic All-Conference honors and is pursuing his Hydrology degree at SCSU. He is the son of Jim and Becky Conlee.Â
"Reid takes company man and team player to the next level!" said Dolan. "Not once in his four years have you ever heard him complain about anything even though he's battled numerous injuries. I don't think a lot of people remember but he started his first game as a true freshman and had a great series against Missouri Western. Not many true freshman play their first game at Huskyland. He's hit some long home runs for us over his career. But more important than his big bat is how he wears his Husky hat with pride!"
RYAN DUFFYÂ
Ryan Duffy joined the Huskies this season after spending four seasons at Minnesota, where he recorded two wins and a save in 41 appearances with 68 strikeouts. Duffy has been a consistent cog in the starting rotation for the Huskies this season, making 9 starts with a 2-3 record, 3.24 ERA and two complete games over 41.2 innings of work. He ranks second on the team in strikeouts with 50, which includes a 13-strikeout complete game masterpiece of a start against Winona State on March 24. The win over the Warriors started the Huskies 15-game win streak, its longest since 2016. Ryan will graduate with a degree in Elective Studies from SCSU and is the son of Mark and Lisa Duffy.Â
"Being a power five fifth year transfer doesn't always work out the best with new teammates for only one year, but Ryan from day one has been such a great team player, hard worker and company guy," said Dolan. "He's just fit in great with our Husky culture! And he's thrown some big games with impressive outcomes. We were very fortunate to have Ryan for one year of his college career."
MAX GAMM
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A native of Woodbury, Max Gamm spent three seasons with Nebraska Omaha where he started 91 games and helped lead the Mavericks to the 2019 Summit League Regular Season and Tournament Championship. In his first season as a Husky, Gamm earned Second Team All-NSIC honors after leading all shortstops with a .310 batting averages with four doubles, three triples, one home run, 19 RBI and a team-best 18 steals. A .270 career hitter at SCSU, Gamm has hit nine doubles, six triples, five home runs and 40 RBI with 33 steals as a Husky. The son of Robb and Morli Gamm, Max will graduate with a Business Management degree from SCSU.Â
"Max is another Division-I transfer that played in the NCAA regional games that has the experience to continue helping and leading this team," said Dolan. "He's such a easy-going fun loving guy off the field and a fierce competitor on the field. He's arguably one of the top two or three shortstops I've ever coached defensively. And when he's hot it sure is fun watching him run the bases."
TREVOR KOENIG
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A five-year Husky and St. Cloud native, Trevor Koenig has been a fixture in the SCSU starting rotation since stepping on campus, making 22 starts in 38 appearances. In 131.1 innings pitched, Trevor has a 8-8 career record with a 4.45 ERA with 139 strikeouts and a 0.20 walk-to-strikeout ratio. This season, Trevor has posted a 2-2 record in five starts with a 4.33 ERA and three strikeouts. Just this past Wednesday, Koenig threw the seventh SCSU no-hitter since at least 1995, blanking Minnesota Duluth over 7 innings with five strikeouts and just one hit-by-pitch allowed. Trevor earned NSIC Academic All-Conference honors in 2021 and will graduate with a Business Management and Marketing degree from SCSU. He is the son of Gerald and Sue Koenig.Â
"Trevor has been one of our most consistent pitchers I've coached starting as a freshman relief guy to our #1 pitcher last year," said Dolan. "Not a lot of people know he turned down a huge signing bonus with a Milwaukee Brewers to stay close to home and play for the Huskies. That I will never forget! He said such an impressive career and to throw his first no-hitter ever and seventh at SCSU this past week was really impressive. He's finally back 100% after a serious ankle energy and he's gonna bring us so much rest of the season."
PAUL STEFFENSEN
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Paul Steffensen made stops at Mesa College and Tennessee Tech before joining the Huskies ahead of the 2021 season. A native of Kenai, Alaska, Steffensen has recorded the most collegiate hits from an Alaskan native. As a Husky, Steffensen is a .309 hitter with 18 doubles, 12 home runs, 70 RBI, 28 stolen bases and a .517 slugging percentage. Paul has started every game for the Huskies this season, hitting .289 while rankings second on the team in RBI with 38 and doubles with 11, while ranking third in stolen bases with 12. The son of Stanley and DeeAnn Steffensen, Paul will graduate with a Psychology degree from SCSU.Â
"I haven't coached many players that will out-work Paul Steffensen in the batting cage or the weight room," said Dolan. "Like so many of our seniors he's just such a great guy on and off the field and to have a 4.0 GPA is amazing. And he's another Division-I transfer that just has totally fit in with the Huskies."
FABIAN VILLEGAS
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Fabian Villegas is in his third season as a Husky after spending his first two college seasons at Phoenix College. In 18 appearances and five Husky starts, Fabian has produced a 3-2 record with a 5.44 ERA and one save. He has been a go-to guy in the bullpen for the Huskies this season, logging 22.1 innings of work in eight appearances out of the pen, striking out nine hitters. A 2021 NSIC Academic All-Conference honoree, Fabian plans to graduate with a Liberal Studies degree from SCSU. He is the son of Norma and Ken Myers.Â
"Fabian is another unbelievable student and just such an easy-going fun loving guy," said Dolan. "After coming from a powerful junior college and being a key starter he's also excepted his role as both a starter, reliever and closer and he's done a great job and all three roles.
EAN VON WALDÂ
A three-year Husky who spent the 2020 season at Cedar Valley College, Ean Von Wald has played in 37 games for the Huskies! In 2021 as the Huskies' top backup catcher, Ean played 20 games and started three, going 5-for-11 at the plate with 2 doubles while committing just one error. The son of Jim and Tina Von Wald, Ean plans to graduate with a Business degree from SCSU.Â
"Ean is yet another unbelievable student that not only will be graduating but already has a awesome full-time position he'll be starting the week after the baseball season," said Dolan. "Like so many of the seniors he has battled some injuries and it's unfortunate he hasn't been able to play his senior year but he has not missed more than one or two practices much less games even though he's not healthy enough to play. If that doesn't say something about him as a young man and a proud Husky teammate, I don't know what does!"
FROM COACH DOLAN:
"We are so blessed to have such a great group of nine young man that is represented in our Husky BASEBALL Family to the highest level. Whether they are one-year, five-year transfers or super six-year seniors. For everything they've had to go through with COVID and almost everyone of them battling some sort of an injury during. Throughout their career, you've never heard them complain or not be team players. Their overall GPA is the highest of any group of seniors in my 30 years with over a 3.5. So proud to be called their coach and looking forward to what the rest of the season brings to the Husky's and their future as proud Husky alums!"
SHANNON AHERN
Â
A sixth-year senior and three-year captain, Shannon Ahern epitomizes what it means to be a Husky baseball player. Shannon has posted a 16-8 career record with a 4.36 ERA in 165 innings of work while striking out 143 batters. In his 2018 sophomore campaign, Ahern won a career-best seven games in 51.1 innings of work and won NSIC Gold Glove honors as a pitcher. Shannon is a four-time Academic All-Conference honoree and is currently pursuing his Master's of Business Administration at SCSU. Shannon is the son of Patrick and Barbara Ahern.
"Shannon epitomizes what it is to be a Husky baseball player," said Dolan. "To come back for his super sixth year after being a full-time employee says enough. Being a three-year captain says enough. Earning his masters degree and all the things he does for the athletic department says enough. His come back after his major else elbow injury says enough. His career stats and how many big games he's pitch and won the last six years says enough. Enough said!
NICK BRAUNS
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A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Nick Brauns spent two seasons at Glendale College before joining the Huskies for the 2020 season. Nick has made 22 appearances in a Husky uniform and owns a 4-1 record and 3.35 ERA with 40 strikeouts to his name. This season, Nick leads the team in appearances with 13 and earned runs allowed with six, while rankings second in ERA at 2.31. Nick will graduate with a degree in Leadersnip and Organizational Methods and is the son of Matt and Kelly Brauns.
"Another senior coming back for an extra year after he graduate so his commitment to our Husky BASEBALL Family," said Dolan. "He is such a team player and has accepted every role we have put him into after being a big-time starter at the junior college level. He's also battled some injuries and never complained once and when he's on with his slider he's one of the best relief guys we've had."
REID CONLEE
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A four-year contributor for the Huskies, Reid Conlee has hit five home runs and had 18 RBI in his career. This season, Reid has hit .294 in 17 at-bats with one homer and two RBI. Reid has earned two NSIC Academic All-Conference honors and is pursuing his Hydrology degree at SCSU. He is the son of Jim and Becky Conlee.Â
"Reid takes company man and team player to the next level!" said Dolan. "Not once in his four years have you ever heard him complain about anything even though he's battled numerous injuries. I don't think a lot of people remember but he started his first game as a true freshman and had a great series against Missouri Western. Not many true freshman play their first game at Huskyland. He's hit some long home runs for us over his career. But more important than his big bat is how he wears his Husky hat with pride!"
RYAN DUFFYÂ
Ryan Duffy joined the Huskies this season after spending four seasons at Minnesota, where he recorded two wins and a save in 41 appearances with 68 strikeouts. Duffy has been a consistent cog in the starting rotation for the Huskies this season, making 9 starts with a 2-3 record, 3.24 ERA and two complete games over 41.2 innings of work. He ranks second on the team in strikeouts with 50, which includes a 13-strikeout complete game masterpiece of a start against Winona State on March 24. The win over the Warriors started the Huskies 15-game win streak, its longest since 2016. Ryan will graduate with a degree in Elective Studies from SCSU and is the son of Mark and Lisa Duffy.Â
"Being a power five fifth year transfer doesn't always work out the best with new teammates for only one year, but Ryan from day one has been such a great team player, hard worker and company guy," said Dolan. "He's just fit in great with our Husky culture! And he's thrown some big games with impressive outcomes. We were very fortunate to have Ryan for one year of his college career."
MAX GAMM
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A native of Woodbury, Max Gamm spent three seasons with Nebraska Omaha where he started 91 games and helped lead the Mavericks to the 2019 Summit League Regular Season and Tournament Championship. In his first season as a Husky, Gamm earned Second Team All-NSIC honors after leading all shortstops with a .310 batting averages with four doubles, three triples, one home run, 19 RBI and a team-best 18 steals. A .270 career hitter at SCSU, Gamm has hit nine doubles, six triples, five home runs and 40 RBI with 33 steals as a Husky. The son of Robb and Morli Gamm, Max will graduate with a Business Management degree from SCSU.Â
"Max is another Division-I transfer that played in the NCAA regional games that has the experience to continue helping and leading this team," said Dolan. "He's such a easy-going fun loving guy off the field and a fierce competitor on the field. He's arguably one of the top two or three shortstops I've ever coached defensively. And when he's hot it sure is fun watching him run the bases."
TREVOR KOENIG
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A five-year Husky and St. Cloud native, Trevor Koenig has been a fixture in the SCSU starting rotation since stepping on campus, making 22 starts in 38 appearances. In 131.1 innings pitched, Trevor has a 8-8 career record with a 4.45 ERA with 139 strikeouts and a 0.20 walk-to-strikeout ratio. This season, Trevor has posted a 2-2 record in five starts with a 4.33 ERA and three strikeouts. Just this past Wednesday, Koenig threw the seventh SCSU no-hitter since at least 1995, blanking Minnesota Duluth over 7 innings with five strikeouts and just one hit-by-pitch allowed. Trevor earned NSIC Academic All-Conference honors in 2021 and will graduate with a Business Management and Marketing degree from SCSU. He is the son of Gerald and Sue Koenig.Â
"Trevor has been one of our most consistent pitchers I've coached starting as a freshman relief guy to our #1 pitcher last year," said Dolan. "Not a lot of people know he turned down a huge signing bonus with a Milwaukee Brewers to stay close to home and play for the Huskies. That I will never forget! He said such an impressive career and to throw his first no-hitter ever and seventh at SCSU this past week was really impressive. He's finally back 100% after a serious ankle energy and he's gonna bring us so much rest of the season."
PAUL STEFFENSEN
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Paul Steffensen made stops at Mesa College and Tennessee Tech before joining the Huskies ahead of the 2021 season. A native of Kenai, Alaska, Steffensen has recorded the most collegiate hits from an Alaskan native. As a Husky, Steffensen is a .309 hitter with 18 doubles, 12 home runs, 70 RBI, 28 stolen bases and a .517 slugging percentage. Paul has started every game for the Huskies this season, hitting .289 while rankings second on the team in RBI with 38 and doubles with 11, while ranking third in stolen bases with 12. The son of Stanley and DeeAnn Steffensen, Paul will graduate with a Psychology degree from SCSU.Â
"I haven't coached many players that will out-work Paul Steffensen in the batting cage or the weight room," said Dolan. "Like so many of our seniors he's just such a great guy on and off the field and to have a 4.0 GPA is amazing. And he's another Division-I transfer that just has totally fit in with the Huskies."
FABIAN VILLEGAS
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Fabian Villegas is in his third season as a Husky after spending his first two college seasons at Phoenix College. In 18 appearances and five Husky starts, Fabian has produced a 3-2 record with a 5.44 ERA and one save. He has been a go-to guy in the bullpen for the Huskies this season, logging 22.1 innings of work in eight appearances out of the pen, striking out nine hitters. A 2021 NSIC Academic All-Conference honoree, Fabian plans to graduate with a Liberal Studies degree from SCSU. He is the son of Norma and Ken Myers.Â
"Fabian is another unbelievable student and just such an easy-going fun loving guy," said Dolan. "After coming from a powerful junior college and being a key starter he's also excepted his role as both a starter, reliever and closer and he's done a great job and all three roles.
EAN VON WALDÂ
A three-year Husky who spent the 2020 season at Cedar Valley College, Ean Von Wald has played in 37 games for the Huskies! In 2021 as the Huskies' top backup catcher, Ean played 20 games and started three, going 5-for-11 at the plate with 2 doubles while committing just one error. The son of Jim and Tina Von Wald, Ean plans to graduate with a Business degree from SCSU.Â
"Ean is yet another unbelievable student that not only will be graduating but already has a awesome full-time position he'll be starting the week after the baseball season," said Dolan. "Like so many of the seniors he has battled some injuries and it's unfortunate he hasn't been able to play his senior year but he has not missed more than one or two practices much less games even though he's not healthy enough to play. If that doesn't say something about him as a young man and a proud Husky teammate, I don't know what does!"
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