Lapel’s Brad Lantz on Tuesday became the eighth Anderson University baseball player to win the Carl Erskine Award of Excellence, presented by the Anderson Rotary Club.

The award caps an athletic career that has been steeped in team and individual accomplishments.

While in high school, Lantz was part of a sectional championship team in 2004 and was All-State, team MVP and captain in 2005. That same year he was the starting center for the school’s state championship basketball team.

“Brad was an outstanding catcher,” said AU baseball coach Don Brandon, who is attending his final Erskine ceremony as head coach. “The catcher’s equipment is often referred to as the tools of ignorance. However, Brad’s graduating (grade point average) is 3.42 out of 4.0 in elementary education.”

Lantz, the son of Shari and Steve Lantz, will graduate in December on the dean’s list. He also has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.

“Brad will always give back to the community,” Brandon said. “He always put team above self. Brad will continue to be a leader both professionally and in his community.”

Lantz’s name will join the seven others on a permanent display inside the

Kardatzke Wellness Center. He was presented with a trophy bearing the likeness of former Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine, who also attended the ceremony. The Rotary Club also presented a $500 check to go to the Anderson University scholarship fund.

“The excitement is almost overwhelming,” Lantz said. “It is an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence with Carl Erskine. He is one of the most giving individuals I have ever met.”

Lantz had some other plaudits to hand out as well.

“Don Brandon, what a guy to play for and learn from,” Lantz said. “He was a man I could go to for anything. Then my parents. There were always there, through the day baseball and the late-night baseball that would never end.”

Erskine spoke in support of the choice of Lantz as the award winner, but he had a question.

“I’ve always liked catchers,” Erskine said. “But what I don’t understand is that they call all of the pitches. But at the end of the game there’s a losing pitcher. Why not a losing catcher? But I think Brad is going to do good things in his life. He has all of the tools.”

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter and former Highland star Adam Lind was on hand for the awards, though he preferred to remain in the background in order to not detract from the significance of the award and the winner.

The story appeared in The Herald Bulletin by Sports Editor Rick Teverbaugh

Taylor Holmes led the Ravens with a fifth place finish in a time of 26:36 and Kirk Saunders was right behind him in sixth place in 26:38. Bil Digman was also in the top 10 with a ninth place finish (26:53).

Other AU finishers were Emby Duncan (23rd, 27:58), Andrew Abbott (25th, 28:06), Eric Linn (29th, 28:20), Drew Beaty (33rd, 28:32), Marc St. Amour (35th, 28:35), Matt St. Amour (43rd, 29:01) and Dan Malloy (59th, 31:20).

“We made a step forward with this meet,” said AU coach Scott Wilson. “We had several people run personal bests today, which was good to see.  We have two more weeks to conference and I think that we can make another step forward for that meet.”

For complete results go to the Manchester website at http://www.manchester.edu/Athletics/crosscountry/stats/stats2009/2009mcinvite.pdf

“Don Brandon has devoted his life to his family, his faith, and to Anderson University through baseball,” said Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University. “He is one of the most successful coaches in all of college baseball. Even more significant has been his devotion to his players and to their development as men of character, faith, and accomplishment in their life endeavors. Hundreds of his former players will receive the news of his coming retirement with gratitude for the influence he has made on their lives. Coach Brandon will leave a lasting legacy with Raven baseball.”

Brandon made it clear that he isn’t finished yet and will coach the 2010 season and has high hopes for his final Raven team, which returns the nucleus of last year’s 22-18 team that advanced to the HCAC post-season tournament.

“I do want to make the point that I will not step down until the 2010 team has ended the season,” said Brandon. “I love the current team and their possibilities of having an outstanding year and their chances of having a strong post-season finish, and I want to be a part of that.”

Brandon has been the head coach of the baseball program since the 1972 season, amassing a school-record 1,074 victories, 13 conference championships, 12 NAIA District 21 titles, five World Series appearances (1984, ’87, ’93, ’98 and 2003) and the 1991 National Christian College Athletic Association National Championship.

“Though Don Brandon is retiring, he leaves behind a lasting and positive imprint on the Anderson University baseball program and the athletic program,” said Director of Athletics Marcie Taylor. “A simple mention of Anderson University in intercollegiate athletes circles was often met with a reply of, ‘Oh, you have a great baseball program.’ Don’s passion for his players, for the game of baseball, and for excellence was always evident. That the success of his coaching career has spanned more than 35 years is truly a remarkable accomplishment.”

In addition to previous team honors, he has been named NAIA District 21 Coach of the Year nine times, Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year five times, NAIA Area VI Coach of the Year three times, and NCAA Div. III Mideast Region Coach of the Year three times.

Brandon was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2002, after finishing with 644 wins in 20 years in that division. He was also inducted into the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998.

He currently ranks second on the NCAA Div. III active coaches win list behind Eastern Connecticut State’s Bill Holowaty (1,249 wins), fifth on the NCAA Div. III career wins list, 31st on the NCAA active winning percentage list (.654), and 31st on the NCAA all divisions career win list.

“It has been a blessed experience coaching at Anderson University all these years,” said Brandon. “It has been my ministry, and I am grateful that the Lord planted me here at this great place. I still love what I do, but it is time. It is time for a younger coach with more energy and a renewed focus that will take the baseball program to even a higher level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and the NCAA Division III. It is also time for me to spend more quality time with Janet and my family.”

Brandon first came to Anderson University in the fall of 1959 from Cullman, Ala., to play football, basketball, and baseball. He earned four letters in football and baseball and was a member of the basketball team for three years. He played baseball under former Brooklyn Dodger great Carl Erskine and still holds the school’s single-season record for fewest walks per game (0.53) in 1963.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Anderson in 1963 and added his master’s degree from Ball State University in 1967. He later returned to school to earn his Ph.D. in physical education from Springfield College (Mass.) in 1976.

Brandon was an assistant baseball coach under Erskine for five years before taking over for his mentor in the 1972 season. Erskine took the job on a temporary basis for the 1973 season while Brandon finished his degree before taking over his current position for good in 1974.

Over the next 30 years, Brandon built the AU baseball program to one of the finest and most respectable in the nation in both the NAIA and later the NCAA.

“The main thing for Don’s whole career was to focus on the means to develop his players, and that was his legacy,” said Erskine. “He was on fire for baseball and used it as a vehicle to get the best out of his players. He’s had a commendable career, and how many adjectives can you say about him.”

Arguably his finest team was the 1980 team, which finished with a school-record 43 wins against just six defeats, leading the nation in winning percentage. He made his first NAIA World Series appearance in 1984 and returned in 1987 with both teams tying the 1980 squad with 43 wins.

In 1990 and 1991, he won a combined 91 games, including a new school-record 47 in 1990. But his 1991 team won 44 games and his only National Championship as they took the NCCAA title at Victory Field in Indianapolis. The 1992 team was the NCCAA national runner-up the next season.

Anderson moved to the NCAA in 1993 and the Ravens promptly won 31 games and went to the World Series in their first year, beating top-seeded Marietta in the regional and finishing fifth in the championship series in Battle Creek, Mich. The Ravens went back to the World Series again in both 1998 and 2003, finishing third in the final appearance at Appleton, Wis.

Brandon had several milestone wins along the way, including victory No. 1 over Southern Tech on March 28, 1972. Victory No. 100 came on April 29, 1978, against Defiance and he passed his mentor Erskine with No. 145 on April 5, 1980 against Findlay.

Other milestone wins include No. 200 (Rhode Island on March 16, 1982), No. 300 (Wright State on May 8, 1984), No. 400 (Marian on March 19, 1987), No. 500 (Wabash on April 15, 1989) and No. 1,000 on April 9, 2006.

Brandon married his college sweetheart Janet on Dec. 22, 1962, and they will celebrate their 47th anniversary this winter. They have two children, Leah and Brent. They are also the proud grandparents of six grandchildren: Cassidy, Austin, Jonathon, James, Luke, and Noah.

“I can’t remember a year since I got out of baseball that Don Brandon wasn’t associated with baseball,” said Erskine. “Anderson University baseball has had only two coaches in the last 49 years and it’s hard for me to think of Anderson University baseball without Don Brandon.”

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college: in 2008, U.S. News and World Report ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the fourth consecutive year. 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.

Hazen led the Ravens with a .436 average to go with 44 runs, 11 doubles, 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 117 total bases and a .785 slugging percentage.

Jarrett led the Ravens with 17 doubles and 118 total bases  while hitting .404 with 58 runs, five triples, eight home runs, 30 RBI and 23 stolen bases. Jarrett also broke the career record for triples this season and has 23 over his three years.

Named to the second team were senior Brad Lantz, junior Cody Young and sophomore Brady Roundtree.

Young batted .375 with 37 runs, 14 doubles, a team-high eight triples, eight home runs, 45 RBI, 114 total bases and 24 stolen bases. Roundtree hit .282 with 10 doubles, two home runs, 20 RBI and Lantz .266 with seven doubles, two home runs and 24 RBI.

Honorable mention selectees were sophomore Kyle Dillon (5-5, 6.86 ERA, 43 K), junior Aaron Vogel (4-3, 4.50 ERA, 28 K), sophomore David Addington (.283, 5 2B, 2 HR) and freshman Michael Tucker (.325, 11 2B, 8 HR, 31 RBI).

AU finished the season 22-18 overall and 12-9 in the HCAC.

Jeremy Hazen led the Ravens with three hits, two runs and an RBI, including his 13th home run of the season. Chris Jarrett had two hits and two RBI, including his eighth home run this year. Cody Young added a pair of doubles and an RBI.

Starter Brad Schnepp took the loss on the mound, allowing eight hits and five runs in three innings while walking two and striking out one. Aaron Vogel pitched the final 1.1 innings, allowing a hit and striking out two.

AU finished the season 22-18 overall and 12-9 in the HCAC.

Brady Roundtree led the Raven offense with two hits, two runs and four RBI, including a three-run homer. Brett Detty also had a three-run homer and Jeremy Hazen added a solo shot - his 12th of the season.

Kyle Dillon took the loss on the mound, allowing 10 hits and eight runs in 4.1 innings while striking out three with two walks.

The teams combined to score 12 runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but Franklin added a three-run first and five runs in the fifth to always be in control of the game.

AU (22-17) plays No. 3 Mt. St. Joseph on Friday in the losers bracket at 9:30 a.m. The game will be carried live on the internet broadcast from McDowell Field.

Brett Detty led the Ravens with two hits and a run and Cody Young had an RBI on a groundout. Chris Jarrett added a double.

Kyle Dillon took the loss on the mound, allowing five hits and three earned run in four innings. Seth Daniels pitched two shutout innings of relief, not allowing a baserunner.

In the second game, Jarrett led the offense with three hits and two runs, including a double. Brady Roundtree had two hits and Michael Tucker added a home run. David Addington chipped in with two RBI and Brad Lantz and Detty each added a hit and an RBI.

Starter Aaron Vogel took the loss, allowing six hits and seven runs in 2.2 innings. Mitch Buis pitched three shutout innings of relief and Shane Nevers got the final two outs without allowing a baserunner.

AU (22-16, 12-9 HCAC) travels to No. 1 seed and host Franklin on Thursday in the first round of the HCAC post-season tournament. The game will be carried live on the internet broadcast at noon.

The victory coupled with Manchester’s victory over Transylvania clinched a spot in the four-team post-season tournament next Thursday a the regular season champion.

Jeremy Hazen and Cody Young opened the 10th inning with back-to-back doubles to give the Ravens the lead. David Addington added a suicide squeeze and Brad Schnepp added a home run.

Schnepp led the offense with with three hits, three runs and two RBI and Michael Tucker added two hits, two runs and two RBI, including a home run.

Shane Nevers earned the victory in relief, allowing just one walk in the final 1.2 innings on the mound. Schnepp, who started on the mound, allowing seven hits and five earned runs in six innings and Kyle Beckman gave up two hits and no runs in 2.1 innings of relief.

AU (22-14, 12-7 HCAC) plays a doubleheader at Mt. St. Joseph on Saturday. The games will be carried live on the internet broadcast at noon.

The junior shortstop finished the week 7-for-14 (.500) at the plate for the Ravens as AU earned a three game sweep of Defiance. Hazen scored six runs, drove in 14 RBI, and added two doubles, three home runs, and a 1.286 slugging percentage.

In a 12-9 win over Defiance, Hazen tied a school record with eight RBI and hit two home runs, including a grand slam.

Anderson (21-14, 11-7 HCAC) currently occupies fourth place in the conference standings and will conclude the conference schedule against Franklin (Tuesday) and Mount St. Joseph (Friday and Saturday.

In the first game, Brad Schnepp led the Raven offense with two hits, two runs and an RBI, including a home run.

Michael Tucker had two hits, including a double, and Cody Young and Chris Jarrett added RBI triples. Brett Detty chipped in with an RBI double.

Schnepp earned the victory on the mound, tossing a four-hit shutout while striking out one without a walk.

In the second game, David Addington led the AU offense with four hits and three RBI and Jeremy Hazen had three hits, two runs and three RBI, including a pair of doubles.

Brad Lantz had two hits, three RBI and Tucker added two hits, two runs and two RBI, including a double. Chris Jarrett chipped in with two hits, three runs and Cody Youg two hits, three runs and three stolen bases. Brady Roundtree also had a pair of hits.

Kyle Beckman earned the victory in relief, allowing two hits and one run in 4.1 innings of work while striking out two. Shane Nevers pitched a scoreless ninth, allowing one hit.

AU (21-14, 11-7 HCAC) hosts Franklin on Tuesday at Raven Park. The game will be carried live on the internet broadcast at 4 p.m.

The Ravens hold a three game lead over Manchester and Transylvania for the fourth and final spot in the HCAC tournament with four games left in the regular season.

AU finishes the regular season with a three-game series at Mt. St. Joseph on Friday and Saturday.