Franklin was selected first with 94 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Anderson (79), Manchester (76), Rose-Hulman (76), Transylvania (63), Bluffton (47), Mt. St. Joseph (42), Hanover (35), Earlham (26) and Defiance (12).

The Ravens received two first-place votes and Manchester got the final first-place vote.

AU, which finished 26-14 overall and 14-8 in the HCAC last season, opens the season at IU-Southeast on Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.

Last season, the senior was named to the d3baseball.com All-American 1st Team. In addition, he was also named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. III All-Mideast Region 1st Team and the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player.

Tucker hit .443 (35-for-79) in conference play and had 28 runs, 37 RBI, eight doubles, one triple, and nine home runs.  He had a .911 slugging percentage and a .553 on-base percentage during league play.

Overall in 2011, Tucker ranked among the conference leaders in batting average (.433) and led the HCAC in slugging percentage (.901), on-base percentage (.539), RBI (66), home runs (16), and total bases (127).

With his final home run of the season, Tucker also set the AU career home run record with his 39th, breaking Jeff Griffith’s 24-year-old record of 38.

Anderson finished 26-14 overall and 14-8 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference last season. They open the 2012 year at IU-Southeast on Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.

Brandon has previously been inducted into five Halls of Fame, including the Cullman County Athletic Hall of Fame in his hometown in Alabama. Other Hall of Fames that have inducted him include Anderson University Athletics, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Indiana High School Baseball Coaches.

In addition to these prestigious awards, he is a nine-time NAIA District 21 Coach of the Year and a three-time NAIA Area VI Coach of the Year. Since moving to the NCAA, he has been named conference coach of the year six times and mid-east regional coach of the year three times.

Brandon retired from AU in 2010 after 42 years of service and 38 years as the head baseball coach at his alma mater. For 20 years he coached in the NAIA and 18 years in the NCAA Division III. In his final game, the team nailed down his 1,100th win and captured the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship.

His 2010 team was the No. 1 offensive team in NCAA Division III, No. 1 in batting average, and No. 1 in slugging percentage. Two of his 2010 players were drafted (Cody Young and Chris Jarrett) . Before retirement, his team’s cumulative wins ranked second among active Division III coaches and fifth on the career win list.

Brandon has a sterling reputation for developing players. During his coaching career, 34 players were drafted into the Major League Baseball amateur draft or signed free agent contracts. Many of his players achieved All-American and All-Conference status.

His 1984 and 1987 squads appeared in the NAIA World Series and the 1993, 1998, and 2003 teams earned a trip to the NCAA Division III National Championships. AU was also the NCCAA National Champion in 1991 and runner-up in 1992. The Ravens won 14 overall conference titles during Brandon’s tenure.

As a lifetime member of the ABCA, Brandon attended the last 34 consecutive conventions. He provided leadership as the NAIA district and area chairman for several years.

Brandon earned his master’s from Ball State University in 1967 and his doctorate from Springfield College (Mass.) in 1976.

This love for others took the 71-year-old to Nairobi, Kenya, on a mission trip in late November to teach the game of baseball.

Less than two years removed from open-heart surgery, Brandon has mustered both the energy and ambition to cross the Atlantic to bring together his two greatest loves — people and baseball — and impact the lives of young Kenyans. “It’s my understanding that they know very little about baseball,” said Brandon.

Brandon will begin his trip by teaching a group of 60 youth coaches for the first two days. He will then work with children in Nairobi for the rest of his stay. When he introduces the game to the coaches and children, Brandon intends to focus on the big picture of the game. Such a reversion to basics may be a challenge to a man who spent the last 38 years of his life teaching intricate techniques to competitive college baseball players.

“We’ll have to start by telling them that you swing a bat from the small end, not the big end,” said Brandon.

Brandon does not expect to struggle with a language barrier. The schools in Kenya teach English to children from a young age, and most adults are also familiar with the language. Moreover, Brandon anticipates communication to be relatively easy because it will be through the sport of baseball.

“Sports are a universal language,” said Brandon. “I may have to learn about cricket, though, so I can communicate baseball to them.”

The facilities where Brandon will teach the game are a sharp contrast from what the coach is used to. “We’ll probably hit ground balls on fields that have glass on them,” Brandon said. Hoping to find clear, unadulterated fields of grass and dirt will be a struggle. The country offers no semblance of baseball diamonds or fields that have ever hosted the American pastime. To avoid injuries on such unpredictable surfaces and fields, and because the children will not all have appropriate gloves, Brandon will have an ample supply of “rag balls” with him that are soft and pose very little physical danger.

Baseball captures the hearts of Americans young and old not only because of its tradition and history, but, at a more basic level, the game is fun. Brandon understands this and recognizes the importance of teaching while also making sure it is enjoyable for the children.

“If you’re introducing a game to someone, then they have to have a smile on their face. They need to have fun,” said Brandon. “The children don’t have an intrinsic motivation. If they’re not having fun, they’re done.”

When Brandon was coaching at Anderson University, his love for the game extended to the field itself. On more than one occasion he would work on the field under the stars, aided only by the headlights of his truck. Brandon will take this tireless devotion to Africa and use the sport of baseball as a vehicle to impact the lives of children in Nairobi. While he’s taught the game to thousands of children during his lifetime, the children of Kenya may be the ones who make the biggest impact of all on him.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America’s top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing, and theology.

But the journey has been worthwhile as he claimed the statuette at the award luncheon Tuesday, presented by the Anderson Rotary Club at Anderson Country Club.

“When I was graduating from Highland, if somebody had told me that someday I’d be getting this award, I would have said they were crazy,” said Roundtree. “Getting out of Anderson was the first thing I wanted to do.”

So he went to college at Webster University in St. Louis.

“I knew in the first month or maybe after the first week that this wasn’t the place for me,” said Roundtree. “I’m so grateful to (former Anderson University) Coach (Don) Brandon for taking me in and giving me an opportunity to play.”

He got limited play as a freshman but was second team All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference after his sophomore season. The next two years, first at second base and then at shortstop, he also was all-conference.

For his career with the Ravens, he hit .343 with 14 homers and 105 RBIs. He stole 40 of 43 bases and that .930 percentage is a school record.

AU coach David Pressley, who just completed his first season as head coach, said, “I’m excited about the opportunity to be here. This was a tough decision between deserving candidates. Brady worked hard every day. As a senior, though he wasn’t a vocal leader, he spoke up when he was needed. He just grew and grew and grew every day.”

Roundtree credited Pressley with being instrumental in his development.

“Without your help fixing my swing, I would never have been able to be standing here,” said Roundtree, the 10th recipient of this award.

Also in attendance was Anderson native and former AU baseball coach Carl Erskine.

“The name on the award is really insignificant to what the award is really all about,” Erskine said. “This is about getting the most out of what is given to you.”

Speaking to Roundtree he said, “Baseball has been a good vehicle for you. It was for me.”

“After a year at AU, I fell in love with the program and with my teammates,” said Roundtree, who spent a good deal of time in his speech acknowledging the love for his teammates. “I learned a lot about leadership skills. I wouldn’t be here without the coaches and without my teammates.”

Anderson Rotary Club presented Anderson University president James L. Edwards a $500 gift. Roundtree’s name will become part of the permanent display honoring the Erskine Award winners at the Kardatzke Wellness Center on the AU campus.

Story written by The Herald Bulletin Sports Editor Rick Teverbaugh

Brandon retired from AU in 2010 after 42 years of service and 38 years as the head baseball coach. For 20 years he coached in the NAIA and 18 years in the NCAA Division III. In his final game, the team nailed down his 1,100th win and captured the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship.

His 2010 team was the No. 1 offensive team in NCAA Division III, No. 1 in batting average, and No. 1 in slugging percentage. Two of his 2010 players were drafted (Cody Young and Chris Jarrett) . Before retirement, his team’s cumulative wins ranked second among active Division III coaches and fifth on the career win list.

Brandon has a sterling reputation for developing players. During his coaching career, 34 players were drafted into the Major League Baseball amateur draft or signed free agent contracts. Many of his players achieved All-American and All-Conference status.

Brandon has been inducted into four baseball Halls of Fame. In addition to these prestigious awards, he is a nine-time NAIA District 21 Coach of the Year and a three-time NAIA Area VI Coach of the Year. Since moving to the NCAA, he has been named conference coach of the year six times and mid-east regional coach of the year three times.

His 1984 and 1987 squads appeared in the NAIA World Series and the 1993, 1998, and 2003 teams earned a trip to the NCAA Division III National Championships. AU was also the NCCAA National Champion in 1991 and runner-up in 1992. The Ravens won 14 overall conference titles during Brandon’s tenure.

As a lifetime member of the ABCA, Brandon attended the last 34 consecutive conventions. He provided leadership as the NAIA district and area chairman for several years. In 1983 AU hosted a USBF tryout. In 38 years, Brandon had only two players to play four years who did not earn a degree, and his teams participated in postseason play 34 times.

Brandon earned his master’s from Ball State University in 1967 and his doctorate from Springfield College (Mass.) in 1976.

Tucker was also named to the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Div. III All-Mideast Region 1st Team on Wednesday and was previously named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player.

Tucker hit .443 (35-for-79) in conference play and had 28 runs, 37 RBI, eight doubles, one triple, and nine home runs.  He had a .911 slugging percentage and a .553 on-base percentage during league play.

Overall in 2011, Tucker ranked among the conference leaders in batting average (.433) and led the HCAC in slugging percentage (.901), on-base percentage (.539), RBI (66), home runs (16), and total bases (127).

With his final home run of the season, Tucker also set the AU career home run record with his 39th, breaking Jeff Griffith’s 24-year-old record of 38.

In addition to Tucker, the Ravens also placed senior Brady Roundtree and junior Greg Vogt on the All-Mideast Region and HCAC teams this season.

Vogt was named to the All-Mideast Region 2nd Team and Roundtree was on the 3rd Team.

Roundtree batted .374 with 55 runs, a team-high 19 doubles, seven home runs, 34 RBI and a team-best 16 stolen bases. Vogt finished the season 8-3 on the mound with a 3.75 earned run average and 41 strikeouts in 86 innings pitched.

Nate Clem was named to the second team. The junior batted .348 with 27 runs, 11 doubles, four home runs and 35 RBI.

Brett Detty and Dan Schmitz were All-HCAC Honorable Mention. Detty batted .348 with 37 runs, 10 doubles, two home runs and 26 RBI. Schmitz was 3-2 on the mound with a 2.97 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched.

AU finished the season 26-14 overall and 14-8 in the HCAC, finishing fourth in the conference standings and post-season tournament.

Brett Detty and Drew Kidd led the Ravens with two hits each and Brady Roundtree and Nate Clem added solo home runs. Kyle Beckman chipped in with an RBI single.

Zach Foley took the loss on the mound, allowing eight hits and five runs while striking out two. Dan Schmitz threw five innings of relief, giving up six hits and one earned run with five strikeouts.

AU finishes the season 26-14 overall and 14-8 in the HCAC.

David Addington led the Ravens with two hits and three RBI, including a home run.

Michael Tucker added his 16th home run of the season and two RBI and Brett Detty chipped in with two hits.

Greg Vogt took the loss on the mound, allowing 10 hits and six runs in four innings.

AU (26-13) will play Rose-Hulman in the loser’s bracket on Friday at 12:30 p.m.

The victory gives the Ravens a sweep of the three-game series and clinches a spot in the four-team post-season tournament next week at either Manchester or Transylvania.

Brady Roundtree led the offense with three hits, three runs and two RBI, including a home run.

Austin Young had two hits, three RBI and Garrett Stone added two hits, two runs and two RBI. Brett Detty added two hits and two runs, including a home run, and David Addington chipped in with two hits and two runs.

Kyle Dillon improved to 5-1 on the season, allowing eight hits and three earned runs in five innings on the mound, striking out four.

Nate Wills pitched 1.2 scoreless innings of relief and Dan Schmitz tossed a perfect ninth inning for his second save of the season.

AU improved to 26-12 overall and 14-8 in the HCAC.

If Anderson (25-12, 13-8 HCAC) can win the third and final game of the series on Friday at noon, they will clinch a spot in the four-team HCAC post-season tournament next weekend.

In the first game, Brady Roundtree led the offense with three hits, three runs and two RBI, including a double and a home run.

Garrett Stone had a home run and two RBI and Michael Tucker and Nate Clem added a hit and two RBI each.

Greg Vogt earned his eighth victory on the mound, allowing seven hits and four runs while striking out six in six innings.

In the second game, Tucker led the Ravens with four hits, four RBI and two runs, including his 15th home run of the season.

Kyle Beckman had three hits, two runs and Brett Detty added two hits and three runs, including a triple.

Roundtree added a home run, four runs, two RBI and Stone and Austin Young chipped in with a home run each.

Zach Foley earned the victory on the mound, allowing 10 hits and one earned run while striking out four. Dan Schmitz pitched the final three innings to earn the save, allowing one hit while striking out six.

The Lions won the first game 3-2, but the Ravens won the series finale 6-2.

In the first game, Nate Clem led the offense with two hits and a run scored. David Addington also had two hits and Garrett Stone added a double and two RBI.

Zach Foley took the loss on the mound, allowing eight hits and three earned runs in six innings while striking out five without a walk.

In the second game, Clem led the Ravens again with three hits and three RBI, including a double.

Michael Tucker had two hits, two runs and an RBI, including a double. Brett Detty added two hits and Brady Roundtree chipped in with a double and two runs scored.

Dan Schmitz earned the victory in relief, allowing no hits or runs in 3.1 innings of work with a strikeout. Starter Kyle Dillon got a no-decision, allowing five hits and two runs in 4.2 innings on the mound.

AU (23-12, 11-8 HCAC) is a half game behind Franklin for the fourth and final spot in the post-season tournament race with four games remaining. The Ravens travel to Earlham on Friday at 5 p.m.

Brady Roundtree and David Addington led the offense with two hits each and Michael Tucker added an RBI single in the first for the Ravens only run.

Greg Vogt took the loss on the mound, allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out one and walking two.

AU (22-11, 10-7 HCAC) finishes its three-game series against the Lions on Saturday with a doubleheader at noon.

The victory gives the Ravens a split with the Spartans in the season series and they trail Manchester by two games in the loss column with seven regular season contests remaining.

Nate Clem led the offense with four hits, two runs and three RBI, including the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning.

Kyle Beckman had three hits, two runs and five RBI, including a two-run homer in the eighth inning to give the Ravens some insurance runs.

Austin Young and Drew Kidd had three hits each and Brett Detty added two hits and an RBI. David Addington and Garrett Stone chipped in with RBI hits.

Greg Vogt got the victory in relief, pitching the final two innings for his seventh victory of the season without allowing a base-runner. Dan Schmitz also pitched 3.2 scoreless innings of relief for Tyler Watson, who allowed seven runs in 3.1 innings with five strikeouts.

AU (22-10, 10-6 HCAC) travels to Mt. St. Joseph on Friday night at 6 p.m.

The Beavers won the first game 13-6 and the second contest 12-11 in 10 innings.

In the first game, Michael Tucker led the offense with two hits and three RBI, including his 13th home run of the season. He ranks 2nd in the nation in home runs.

Brett Detty had two hits, two RBI and Brady Roundtree added two hits and two runs scored. Drew Kidd had two hits and an RBI and David Addington added a triple.

Greg Vogt (6-1) took his first loss of the season, allowing 15 and 13 runs while striking out four.

AU rallied from a 5-2 deficit to tie the game at 6-6 in the fifth inning, but the Beavers got seven runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game away.

In the second game, Austin Young had four hits, three runs and three RBI, including a home run, to lead the Ravens. Nate Clem had two hits and two runs, including a home run, and Kidd added a double and two RBI.

Tucker blasted his 14th home run of the season and Detty also had a home run in the game.

AU (21-10, 9-6 HCAC) travels to Bluffton on Monday for the final game of the three-game series at noon.

The Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to erase a two-run deficit to the Ravens.

Brady Roundtree led the offense with three hits and two RBI and Michael Tucker added two hits and four RBI, including his 12th home run.

Kyle Beckman had three hits, three runs and Brett Detty added two hits and an RBI. Nate Clem chipped in with two hits.

AU (21-8, 9-4 HCAC) travels to Bluffton on Friday for a doubleheader.

The junior finished the week 10-of-18 (.556) at the plate as AU moved into second place in the league standings. Tucker scored 10 runs and added two doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI while slugging 1.333 and had an on-base percentage of .680.

AU (21-7, 9-3 HCAC) travels to HCAC leader Manchester College (21-8, 12-2 HCAC) on Tuesday at 4:15 p.m.

Nate Clem led the Ravens with four hits, three runs and three RBI, including a pair of doubles.

Kyle Beckman had three hits, three runs, two RBI and David Addington added three hits and three runs. Drew Kidd had two hits, three runs, three RBI and Michael Tucker chipped in with two hits, two runs and five RBI, including his 11th home run.

Ricky Peters had two doubles off the bench and John Clawson and Brady Roundtree added doubles. Garrett Stone chipped in with two hits, including a triple.

AU had a season-high 24 hits, which rank sixth on the team single game scoring list.

Tyler Watson improved to 3-1 on the mound, allowing seven hits and three earned runs while striking out six. Kyle Dillon tossed the final two innings without allowing a baserunner while striking out four.

AU (21-7, 9-3 HCAC) travels to conference leader and rival Manchester College (21-8, 12-2 HCAC) on Tuesday at 4:15 p.m.

In the first game, Brady Roundtree led the Ravens with a pair of hits and four RBI, including the game-winning RBI on a bases loaded double in the sixth inning.

Michael Tucker had two hits and three runs, including a home run. Garrett Stone added two hits and Drew Kidd chipped in with an RBI.

Zach Foley improved to 3-1 on the mound, allowing 10 hits and five runs in six innings while striking out three. Andrew Enderle pitched a perfect seventh to earn the save.

In the second game, Stone led the offense with three hits and two RBI, including a pair of doubles. Tucker had two hits, two runs and two RBI, including his 10th home run of the season.

Roundtree added two hits, two runs and Nate Clem had two hits and two RBI. Kyle Beckman and John Clawson chipped in with a hit and two RBI each.

Greg Vogt improved to 6-0 on the mound, allowing three hits in the complete game shutout while striking out five.

AU (20-7, 8-3 HCAC) hosts Defiance in the final game of the weekend series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

In the first game, Brady Roundtree led the Ravens with a hit and two RBI. Vincent Moore and Nate Clem also had RBI in the game.

Kyle Dillon improved to 4-1 on the mound, allowing eight hits and three runs in five innings. Nolan Schaefer threw the final two innings to earn the save, allowing no hits while striking out one.

In the second game, Michael Tucker and Brett Detty each had two hits, two runs and three RBI, including the two big hits in a 10-run fifth inning that turned a 3-1 deficit into a 10-3 lead. Detty had a two-RBI double and Tucker followed with a three-run homer.

Roundtree, Clem and Drew Kidd each had two hits and an RBI in the game.

Starter Nate Wills got a no-decision on the mound, allowing five hits and three runs through three innings. Dan Schmitz tossed the next two innings to earn the victory, allowing two hits and no runs while striking out four.

AU (18-7, 6-3 HCAC) hosts Defiance on Saturday in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. It will be Little League Day at Don Brandon Field.

All Little Leaguers in attendance will be given a free hot dog, box of cracker jacks, souvenir, face painting, player autographs and entered in a drawing to throw out the first pitch of the second game.

The Ravens led 1-0 for most of the game after scratching out a run in the third inning. David Addington and Drew Kidd singled to open the inning and moved up 90 feet on a sacrifice by Brady Roundtree. Addington scored the first run of the game on Austin Young’s groundout.

Rose-Hulman took the lead with a pair of unearned runs in the eighth inning after a couple of defensive miscues for the Ravens, but AU managed to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth.

Kidd and Roundtree singled to start the inning and Brett Detty’s single loaded the bases with one out. Michael Tucker’s groundout to second base tied the game.

The Engineers got a walk, groundout and a double in the ninth to push across the winning run.

Greg Vogt got a no-decision on the mound, despite allowing just six hits and no earned runs in 7.1 innings of work with three strikeouts.

AU (16-7, 6-3 HCAC) travels to Wittenberg on Wednesday for a non-conference doubleheader at 5 p.m.

Brady Roundtree led the Ravens with three hits and Nate Clem had a pair of doubles and an RBI.

Vincent Moore added two hits and pinch-hitter John Clawson chipped in with a solo home run in the ninth inning.

Transylvania picked up two runs in the sixth inning with three singles, a fielder’s choice and a squeeze bunt. They added an unearned run in the top of the eighth to make it 3-0.

Clem’s second double of the game plated David Addington with the Ravens first run in the bottom of the eighth to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Zach Foley took the loss on the mound, allowing seven hits and two earned runs in 8.1 innings while striking out four with two walks.

AU outhit Transylvania 10-7 in the game.

AU (16-6, 6-2 HCAC) hosts Transylvania on Saturday in a doubleheader at noon.

Michael Tucker led the Ravens with four hits, three runs and seven RBI, including a pair of home runs. Tucker’s second blast was a grand slam in the fourth inning, which gave AU a 9-1 lead.

Brett Detty had three hits, three runs and Austin Young two hits and three runs. Vincent Moore added two hits and an RBI and Drew Kidd chipped in with a pair of hits.

Greg Vogt improved to 5-0 on the mound this season, going five innings and allowing six hits and one run while striking out three without a walk.

Rose-Hulman cut the lead to 10-6 with five runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but Dan Schmitz and Andrew Enderle each tossed a shutout inning over the final two frames to clinch the victory.

AU (16-5, 6-1 HCAC) hosts Transylvania on Friday in the first of a three-game weekend series at Don Brandon Field at 4:30 p.m.

In the first game, Austin Young led the Ravens with three hits and three RBI, including a double and a home run.

Nate Clem had three hits, two runs and Brady Roundtree had two hits, two runs and two RBI, including a double.

Drew Kidd and Michael Tucker added two hits each and David Addington chipped in with a double and three RBI.

Tyler Watson improved to 3-1 on the mound, allowing six hits and one run over five innings while striking out seven with two walks.

In the second game, Roundtree led the offense with four hits, four runs and two RBI, including a home run and two doubles.

Tucker also had four hits and Brett Detty had three hits, two runs and two RBI, including a double.

Addington added two doubles and Young chipped in with a double and two RBI.

Kyle Dillon earned the victory in relief, allowing two hits and no runs in two innings while striking out one. Andrew Enderle notched his first save of the season by getting the final three outs in the ninth, striking out two.

AU (15-5, 5-1 HCAC) travels to Rose-Hulman on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Brady Roundtree led the Ravens with three hits and two RBI, including a double.

Garrett Stone had two hits, two runs and three RBI, including a home run. Drew Kidd added two hits, two runs and an RBI.

Greg Vogt improved to 4-0 on the mound, allowing nine hits and three earned runs in 6.2 innings pitched.

AU (13-5, 3-1 HCAC) hosts Franklin on Saturday in the final two games of the series at 1 p.m.

John Clawson didn’t start the game, but he finished it with a one-out bases loaded infield single in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Ravens the victory.

Nate Clem and Brett Detty led the offense with two hits each and Michael Tucker added an RBI single. Brady Roundtree scored the other run on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2 in the seventh inning.

Dan Schmitz picked up his first win of the season on the mound, allowing two hits and no runs over the final two innings while striking out two.

Nolan Schaefer tossed two shutout innings and Seth Daniels, Andrew Enderle and Nate Wills each added one inning of relief without allowing an earned run.

Former AU coach Don Brandon (pictured) threw out the first pitch on Wednesday night. Brandon led the Ravens for 38 years before retiring after the 2010 season.

AU (12-5, 2-1 HCAC) hosts Franklin on Friday at 4 p.m.

The Game 3 victory gives the Ravens the series as they won the first game 12-4 on Friday.

In the first game on Saturday, Brett Detty and Garrett Stone led teh offense with two hits and an RBI each. Michael Tucker and Nate Clem both added a double and two RBI.

Tyler Watson took the loss on the mound, allowing two hits and five earned runs in 4.1 innings while striking out four and walking five.

In the second game, Zach Foley improved to 3-0 on the mound, allowing five hits and no runs in seven innings while striking out three without a walk.

Austin Young led the offense with three hits and three RBI. Brady Roundtree had two hits and four runs, including a triple, and Detty added a double and three RBI.

Tucker, Kyle Beckman and David Addington chipped in with two hits each and Clem added two RBI.

AU (11-5, 2-1 HCAC) plays Marian on Wednesday at Victory Field in Indianapolis at 6 p.m.

Brady Roundtree led the Ravens with three hits and three RBI, including a home run. David Addington had two hits, two runs and four RBI, including a home run.

Austin Young, Brett Detty, Garrett Stone, Nate Clem and Drew Kidd added two hits each.

Greg Vogt improved to 3-0 on the mound, allowing 10 hits and two earned runs in seven innings while striking out eight with one walk.

AU (10-4, 1-0 HCAC) plays a doubleheader at Hanover on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Anderson University’s Michael Tucker

Tucker led the Ravens to a 6-1 record during the week down in Florida, finishing 13-of-27 (.481) at the plate and had eight runs, three doubles, a triple, four home runs, 17 RBI, a .531 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage of 1.111 during the week.

Anderson (9-4, 0-0 HCAC) opens the HCAC schedule at Hanover this weekend.

In the first game, Austin Young led the offense with three hits and an RBI. Garrett Stone added a double and two RBI.

Tyler Watson earned the victory on the mound, allowing four earned runs in 7 1/3 innings while striking out five.

In the second game, Michael Tucker led the Ravens with four hits and five RBI, including two doubles and a home run. Brady Roundtree had three hits and David Addington, Drew Kidd and Young added two hits each. Nate Clem chipped in with a home run and two RBI.

Kyle Dillon earned the victory on the mound, allowing one earned run in five innings while striking out one.

AU (9-4) travels to Hanover on Friday at 4 p.m.

Zach Foley tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just six hits in nine innings while striking out eight with one walk.

Brett Detty led the offense with three hits and an RBI, including a pair of doubles. Nate Clem had two hits and two RBI, including a double, and Michael Tucker added two hits, two runs and an RBI, including a home run.

Drew Kidd added two hits, including a double, and Austin Young chipped in with two hits and a run scored.

AU (7-4) finishes its spring break trip with a doubleheader on Saturday against St. Thomas in Winter Haven, Fla., at 9 a.m.

Michael Tucker led the offense with two hits and four RBI, including a home run.

Garrett Stone added three hits and Brady Roundtree chipped in with two hits and two runs. Austin Young added an RBI single and Drew Kidd two runs.

Greg Vogt had a no decision, going seven innings on the mound and allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out four.

AU (6-4) plays Ramapo on Friday at noon in Winter Haven, Fla.

In the first game, Nolan Schaefer tossed a complete game shutout for his first college victory. The freshman allowed five hits and no runs while striking eight with three walks.

Michael Tucker led the offense with a triple and two RBI. Nate Clem added a double and an RBI and Brady Roundtree chipped in with a hit and an run batted in.

In the second game, Kyle Dillon earned the victory on the mound, allowing eight hits and five runs in five innings pitched with three strikeouts.

Vincent Moore led the offense with three hits and two RBI. John Clawson and Kyle Beckman added two hits and two RBI each and Roundtree had two hits and two runs. Clem chipped in with two hits, two runs and Tucker with a hit and two RBI.

Michael Tucker drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded. The junior finished with two hits and two RBI.

Drew Kidd, Brett Detty, Austin Young and Nate Clem all had two hits and an RBI and Brady Roundtree added two hits and two runs.

Nate Wills earned the victory in relief, tossing 2.2 innings and allowing five hits and two runs while striking out three.

Starter Tyler Watson went the first 6.1 innings, allowing nine hits and three runs while striking out four with one walk.

AU (4-3) plays a doubleheader against Greenville on Tuesday at 9 a.m.

In the first game, Michael Tucker led the offense with three hits and two RBI, including a double.

Brett Detty and John Clawson each had two hits and Nate Clem added a triple and two RBI.

Greg Vogt improved to 2-0 on the mound, allowing six hits and one earned run in six innings.

In the second game, Tucker led the Ravens with two hits, two RBI and three runs, including a home run. Drew Kidd, Austin Young and Clawson each had two hits.

AU (3-3) plays RPI on Monday in Winter Haven at 3:30 p.m.

In the first game, Austin Young led the Ravens with a pair of hits and an RBI and Brett Detty had a hit and scored the lone run for the visitors. Michael Tucker added a double.

Greg Vogt got a no decision on the mound, allowing six hits and one run in six innings on the mound while striking out two and walking one.

In the second game, Tucker had an RBI single and Brady Roundtree added a double for the Ravens.

Kyle Dillon took the loss on the mound, allowing five hits and three runs. Tyler Watson tossed 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and Zach Foley pitched two innings without allowing a hit.

AU (2-2) plays St. Norbert in a doubleheader on Sunday in Winter Haven, Fla. The games will be carried live on Stretch Internet at 9:30 a.m.

Kyle Beckman and Brady Roundtree hit back-to-back home runs in the first game to lead the Raven offense and Michael Tucker added an RBI single.

Greg Vogt earned his first victory of the year with a complete game shutout. The junior allowed just three hits and retired the final 11 hitters, striking out three with two walks.

In the second contest, Tyler Watson earned the victory on the mound, pitching three perfect innings of relief. He faced the minimum nine hitters, including six strikeouts.

Austin Young drove in the game-winning RBI with a double in the top of the eighth inning to score Brett Detty and Jared Bickle. Detty had doubled earlier in the inning and Michael Tucker walked before being lifted for a pinch-runner.

Detty finished with two hits and a run and Young had a pair of doubles and two RBI. Nate Clem also had two hits and John Clawson added a single and an RBI.

Kyle Dillon got a no-decision on the mound, allowing just three hits and two runs in five innings while striking out five without a walk.

AU (2-0) travels to DePauw on Wednesday for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.

Franklin was selected to finish first with 94 points and five first-place votes. Manchester was third (89), followed by Anderson (76), Transylvania (73), Rose-Hulman (61), Mt. St. Joseph (55), Bluffton (34), Defiance (29), Hanover (26) and Earlham (13).

The Ravens return six starters and their top pitcher from last year, but will have to replace 2010 MLB drafees and All-Americans Chris Jarrett and Cody Young.

AU opens the 2010 season at DePauw University on Feb. 26 at noon with a doubleheader.

Tuesday the 2010 Baltimore Orioles draft pick was honored as the 2010 winner of the Carl D. Erskine Award of Excellence during a ceremony at Anderson Country Club.

The award is given each year to a member of the Anderson University baseball team, and longtime head coach Don Brandon — who retired this year after a 38-year career — said he never has had a player develop as much over their four years as a Raven as Young did.

The Delta High School graduate came into the AU program as a self-described “average” athlete. Brandon wasn’t certain the fledgling infielder even had a strong enough arm to play shortstop.

By the time he was drafted by the Orioles following his senior season, Young was throwing the ball at 90 mph from his position in right field. Brandon believes the answer lies in the cancer in Young’s youth. The disease stunted his growth. Years later, Young’s healthy body made up for lost time.

“Those surrounding the situation didn’t give Cody much hope,” Brandon said during his introduction of Young on Tuesday, “but thank God there was hope by the doctors and the great physician.”

Young is adamant in his belief that God gave him a second chance at life. He credits Brandon for giving him a life in baseball. The legendary AU coach was the only man to recruit Young out of Delta. He said Tuesday he saw an emerging athlete whose best days still were ahead of him. But Young exceeded even Brandon’s expectations.

“I have to be honest, I had no idea he’d develop like he did,” Brandon said. “His senior year he had great power, great foot speed and a great arm.”

Young’s .982 slugging percentage during his senior year was the best in Ravens’ history. His .482 batting average ranks second in school history, and his .532 on-base percentage ranks fourth. He ranks sixth with 30 career home runs, 11th with 136 career RBIs and set school records for hits (6), runs (6) and total bases (14) in a game.

But Carl Erskine, the award’s namesake, said the honor isn’t about numbers. He asked the audience if they could remember Jackie Robinson’s batting average or how many bases he stole.

“What do you remember about Jackie?,” Erskine said. “It’s not what he did, it’s who he was.”

The former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers star said he’s often asked about whom was his baseball hero growing up. Babe Ruth was the nation’s biggest sports celebrity at the time, but Erskine admired another member of the New York Yankees — pitcher Herb Pinnock. His neighbors took the Chicago Tribune, and they would share the sports section with a young Erskine. He tore through it, looking for news on Pinnock.

“Every time I read a story about Herb Pinnock, it said two things without fail,” Erskine said. “He was one of the toughest and most competitive pitchers in the major leagues, and he was a great gentleman. He did things the right way.”

Erskine then said Young convinced him during his acceptance speech that he does things the right way as well.

Young’s voice cracked on several occasions, and it was clear the award was emotional for him. He’s one of four boys in a very athletic family — youngest brother Logan is now a freshman on Indiana University’s football team — and he thanked all of his relatives for helping him achieve his dreams.

He later said he felt humbled by winning the award, a bronze trophy of Erskine as a Dodger that somewhat resembles college football’s Heisman Trophy.

“It’s definitely a special award,” Young said. “It stands for more than just baseball. It stands for what you do off the field as well. There were a lot of guys in this senior class that were worthy of it.”

None more so than Young. Last year’s winner, Brad Lantz, returned to share the moment with Young, and he said he couldn’t think of a more deserving recipient.

“With Carl’s speech, Cody’s that guy,” Lantz said. “He wasn’t going to let you beat him at anything. Athletically, he does things the right way. He’s a great kid.”

With a great personal story.

This story was written by Herald Bulletin sports writer George Bremer for The Herald Bulletin on Oct. 13.