Etta Express sweep OAC baseball special awards
Sidick named Player of the Year, while DeMark tabbed Pitcher of the Year

May 13, 2005
TWINSBURG, Ohio - The Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) office announced the 2005 baseball special award winners and All-OAC teams this afternoon (May 13). The League coaches voted senior Chris Sidick (Cecil, PA/Canon McMillan) the Jack Rafeld Player of the Year and junior Mike DeMark (Jeanette, PA/Penn-Trafford) the Kent Tekulve Pitcher of the Year. In addition, nine Pioneers were named All-OAC.

Sidick became the fourth Pioneer to be named the Jack Rafeld Player of the Year in back-to-back years. He joins Joe Thomas who won two straight POY awards in 1996 and 1997, Josh Streit in both 1998 and 1999 and most recently, Jay Coakley capturing this honor in 2001 and 2002. It is the 28th annual award presentation of the Jack Rafeld Award, which honors the OAC's most outstanding baseball player.

The award is named in honor of one of Mount Union's most successful coaches. Jack Rafeld served in various capacities from 1946-79 in Mount Union's physical education and athletics department. In 30 years as the baseball coach, Rafeld guided the Purple Raiders to a 304-220-3 overall record.

As of May 12, Sidick was leading the team in batting average (.391), slugging percentage (.775), on-base percentage (.509), runs scored (51), triples (7), home runs (11), total bases (107), walks (31) and stolen bases (26). Sidick was ranked in the top-five of the Conference in batting average, hits, runs scored, triples, home runs, total bases and stolen bases. Sidick was named to the Rawlings ABCA All-America Second Team a year ago.

Sidick is the 16th Pioneer player to be named the Jack Rafeld OAC Player of the Year. Since 1996, either a Marietta or Heidelberg student-athlete has been awarded this honor.

DeMark has been named the 2005 Kent Tekulve Pitcher of the Year for the first time in his career. He is the fourth Pioneer hurler to earn this award. A Pioneer has earned this award eight out of the 11 years in which this honor has been presented.

The award is named after 1969 Marietta graduate Kent Tekulve, who spent 21 seasons playing professional baseball, including 17 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a key member of the Pirates' 1979 World Series championship team, setting a major league record with three saves in the Series against Baltimore. He broke Hoyt Wilhelm's record of 1,018 career relief appearances. Tekulve finished his professional career with 1,050 games played, 184 saves and a 94-90 record.

DeMark improved his overall mark to 10-0 after a complete-game win on the opening day of the OAC Tournament. Overall, DeMark has appeared in 16 contests, starting 10, with four complete games and two saves in 73.2 innings of work. He leads the team and the OAC with 74 strikeouts on the year. DeMark was named to the Rawlings ABCA All-America Second Team a year ago.

Marietta, as a team had nine players earn All-OAC recognition. Sidick, DeMark, seniors Justin Papania (Butler, PA) and Mike Mooney (Pittsburgh, PA/Shady Side Academy) and junior Lee Guerrera (Wolcott, CT) were named to the first team. Freshmen Zack Welch (Vincent/Warren) and Tony Piconke (Clinton Twp., MI/Clintondale) earned second team honors, while sophomore Ryan Belanger (Coldwater, MI), and junior Justin Steranka (Pittsburgh, PA/Mt. Lebanon) were given honorable mention.