The team's dominance was noted by other league members, and thusly the Warriors landed eight members to the All-League teams. Rez landed five players on the 11-player first team with three more being named to the 11-player second team. The other three players all just missed being named to the second team, as all three were honorable mention winners at the season-end meetings.
Wooddale saw its all-league members increase from zero one year ago to four this year while Immanuel managed four members also. EPAG had one player each on the first and second teams while each St. Andrew team had one player represented. Pax Christi had two players honored, and likely would have had more if not for such a poor showing in the standings.
Below are the All-League players from Resurrection Life:
1st Team Shortstop: Austin Colby - Austin matched and surpassed his 2008 numbers in league-play pacing the circuit with a .746 average, .743 on base, and 1.582 slugging pecentage. He scored 40 runs and drove home 49 while cranking out 12 doubles, seven triples and ten homeruns. Austin cranked it up when it mattered most too, hitting .833 with runners in scoring position and .750 from the 5th inning and on. Austin handled 27 assists and 15 putouts with just two errors at short.
1st Team Third Base: Jeff Tenney - Tenney had a great first year in the league, running away with a unanimous third-base vote. He led the league with 15 homeruns and 44 runs scored, and tied for the league-lead with 49 rbi. He mashed his way to a 2.000+ OPS, good for second in the league. He had 28 assists with 19 putouts and just four errors at third base and displayed the best arm in the league. He hit seven three-run homers and hit a dinger in less than every five at bats.
1st Team Outfield: Jason Merritt - Jason captures his second consecutive 1st Team honor, (this one unanimous) by increasing his numbers from the plate. Jason hit .653, good for third in the league, while smacking out eight doubles, two triples and four homeruns. He scored 33 times and drove home 29, most of those from the lead-off spot. Jason hit .781 with runners in scoring position and snagged 25 outfield putouts to go along with his one assist and one double-play.
1st Team Outfield: Jamy Antoine - Jamy earned a 1st Team spot in the outfield this year because of his great play both at the plate and in the grass. He led the Warriors with 29 putouts in the outfield and added an assist and a double-play. Offensively, he hit a solid .547 but his extra-base-hit prowess was eye-opening. He walloped seven doubles, seven triples (tied for best in the league) and five homeruns. He scored 32 times and drove home 22.
1st Team Utility: Eric Johnson - Eric finds himself back on the 1st Team in 2009. Although he slowed down in the later games, he still hit an impressive .586 in the league with ten doubles and seven homeruns. He scored 35 runs and had 33 rbi. Eric's solid defense at second solidified him as one of the best all-around league players.
2nd Team Outfield: Chris Burr - Burr took a year off after his 2007 Team MVP season and earned himself an All-League honor right out of the gate. He hit over .600 at .607 and swatted nine extra-base-hits. He played another solid season in the outfield while scoring 26 and driving home 24.
2nd Team First Base: Jeff Johnson - Jeff was never able to find the batting average stroke, but he ceratinly found his power stroke in 2009. Jeff just missed a 1st Team nod because of his 16 league homeruns, only eight counted. Still, his eight homeruns and 35 rbi were more than enough to get him a 2nd Team showing. Jeff also had a 1.000+ slugging and he made just one error at first base all season.
2nd Team Infield: Andy Briggs - Another excellent campaign from Andy. This was a flip-flop year for Andy as he heated up as the year went along versus slowing down in 2008. Andy's defense was under-rated all year and he turned in another fine season at second, short and third. he also hit three homeruns and hit .569. His other-worldly .691 on base percentage was second in the league among qualifying players. Great year for Andy.
Honorable Mention: Chris Wold - Wold would certainly have been a 1st Team selection if he had qualified. He played in just half of the games and players need 2.5 plate appearances per team game played to qualify. Wold hit .686 with a .703 on base percentage in his time. He was clearly the most dominant pitcher and defensive-pitcher in the league as well.
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Engbrecht - With slightly more consistent glove-play, Jon would have landed on that second team. He hit just under .500 at .491 but offered some pop this season with two doubles, one triple and five homeruns. He scored 22 and drove home 21 while playing lots in right field and catcher and filling in at the corners too.
Honorable Mention: Adam Hey - Adam increased his batting average over 150 points from last year to this year and even smacked out a three-run homer. His chatter and enthusiasm behind the plate was legendary. Also, he became 100% reliable in the outfield by year-end and next year he should make a run at another All-League honor.
League Gold-Gloves:
Infield:
Austin Colby, SS
Jeff Tenney, 3B
Andy Briggs, Utility
Outfield:
Jason Merritt, OF
Jamy Antoine, OF
League Awards:
Newcomer of the Year:
Jeff Tenney won this unanimously. He led the league or tied for the lead in several offensive categories, including homers, runs, and rbi. Great first season for the Big Cat.
Most Valuable Player:
Unlike last year, Austin Colby won this one walking away. Without Living Word in the mix, Austin led the Warriors to a dominating season. He didn't win it unanimously, as two other teammates received votes as well as the shortstop for Wooddale.
Above and beyond league champions and All-League awards, the league handed out the following team honors this year:
Most impressive team: Resurrection Life - the Warriors ran off 23 straight league victories dating back to 2008 before falling in the finale on a walk-off hit. Rez dominated the league like no other team in the past.
Comeback team: Wooddale - Team Wooddale ran away with this award. Not only did the team increase its win total by nine games, but it also gave Rez some tough games along the way.
Most exciting game: Immanuel vs. Resurrection Life - the season-ending game was an instant classic with Immanuel knocking off then unbeaten Rez Life with ten runs in the bottom of the last inning. A great comeback and a great game.
Coolest uniforms: Resurrection Life - Rez spent the coin and looked impressive this year. Backing it up with excellent play helps too.
2009 turned out to be a great season for the Resurrection Life Warriors. 2010 should be a good test for the league champs, as every team will have Rez Life in its sights the whole year.
Congratulations again to the 2009 Eden Prairie Round Lake League Champions!!!!
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