In continuing with the string of postseason awards won by Dartmouth athletes, the baseball team received their well deserved recognition this weekend. Seven Big Green ball players were named to the All-Ivy team, three on the first team, one on the second and three receiving honorable mention.
At the top of the list is Brian Nickerson '00, a recent signee of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who is also the only player in Ivy League history to be named both Rookie and Player of the Year. Nickerson became only the 12th player to be named to the All-Ivy team three times in a career, the third Dartmouth player to do so along with Gene Ryzewicz '68 and Mike Conway '99.
Joining Nickerson on the first team is Scott Shirrell '04. Shirrell captured the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award as well, giving the Big Green the last two Rookies of the Year with Mike Mileusnic '03.
"It's a great honor to be named Rookie of the Year. I wasn't really expecting it as there were a lot of other good freshmen in the league, so to receive this award over them makes it even more special," Shirrell said.
Shirrell becomes only the fourth player in Dartmouth history to make the first team in their freshman season joining Nickerson, Mark Johnson '90 and Andrew Spencer '97. The Big Green left fielder hit .379 with six home runs and 36 RBI while leading the team in multiple hit games with 19 and multiple RBI games with 12.
"It would be great if I could equal [the three freshman All-Ivies] careers and I plan on trying my best. Yet I would be quite satisfied if I could achieve even half of what they accomplished," said Shirrell.
Shirrell also broke James Little's '00 single season records for runs scored by crossing the plate 52 times. Shirrell also led Dartmouth in hits (61), at-bats (161), doubles (16), triples (4), slugging percentage (.640) and stolen bases (11).
The third first teamer is catcher Mike Levy '01. Levy joins the first team All-Ivy squad for the second time in his career while leading Dartmotuh in home runs with 8.
The senior co-captain hit .369, good for third on the team, while driving in 33 RBI, scoring 35 runs and slugging at a .604 percentage.
Joe Rockers '01 was named to the second team after a solid season as the team's designated hitter and utility infielder. Rockers hit .302 with three home runs and 19 RBI. He also tied a Dartmouth record with two triples in a game against Plymouth State on May 1.
Lefty Jeff Dutremble '01 received honorable mention despite seeing limited action while recovering from arm surgery. The senior, who was pencilled in as the team's ace prior to the surgery, pitched heroically in the Ivy League Championship, making his longest outing of the season and pitching extremely well when the team needed him most.
Dutremble closed his senior season with a record of 0-1 with three saves. Dutremble will be a sought after commodity in the Major League Baseball Draft on June 5 as a veteran southpaw with good pitches and solid command.
Joining Dutremble as honorable mentions were Mileusnic and Derek Draper '02. Mileusnic led the team with 40 RBI while hitting .314 at first base. Draper hit .367 while splitting time in the outfield with Daniel Becker '02.
This core group led the Big Green to their second straight Red Rolfe Division championship this season, with a 22-18 overall record and a 12-8 league mark.
