Piepkorn, Wagner, and Bison Among 2004 NCAA Division II Baseball Leaders
7/8/2004 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
INDIANAPOLIS--The 2004 North Central Conference champion North Dakota State University baseball squad's success translated into several high rankings among team and individual NCAA Division II statistical leaders.
As a team, the Bison ranked No. 27 nationally in slugging pct. (1610 AB, 812 TB, .830 SLUG%), No. 28 in home runs per game (53 g, 55 HR, 1.04 HR/G), and No. 31 in doubles per game (53 g, 113 2B, 2.13 2B/G).
A significant reason for those batting numbers were due to third-team All-American slugging shortstop Jeremiah Piepkorn's strong season. For his senior year, the Sauk Rapids, MN, native finished at No. 6 overall in home runs per game (53 g, 21 HR, 0.40 HR/G), No. 13 in slugging percentage (194 AB, 161 TB, .830 SLUG%), and No. 43 nationally in runs per game (53 G, 61 R, 1.15 R/G).
Two-time all-region catcher Chris Baso (Menahga, MN) finished his season campaign with the No. 67 batting average in Division II (179 AB, H, .408 avg.).
Closer Neil Wagner, a sophomore from Eden Prairie, MN, represented the Bison pitching staff and tied at No. 3 position in saves (28 app., 38.7 IP, 12 S).
North Dakota State compiled a 31-22 record and won its third league title this year--its first in 31 years.
