Champaign, Ill. - The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) announced Monday that baseball is the 2014-15 Team of the Year, while Dan Hartleb has been selected Coach of the Year. These awards were chosen by a vote of Fighting Illini head coaches and athletics administrators.
It was a record-setting season for Illini baseball. The team won 50 games, breaking the previous school record of 49 wins set in 1982. Along the way the Illini reeled off a Big Ten-record 27-game winning streak from March 30-May 20, the longest in the nation in 2015. Illinois won its first outright conference title in 10 years, claiming the crown with a 21-1 record. The UI's .955 winning percentage was the best by a league champion since 1966.
The Illini earned the No. 6 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament; becoming just the second Big Ten team to earn a national seed. Illinois went on to win its first-ever NCAA Regional, advancing to the Super Regional for the first time in school history. The Orange and Blue hosted both the Regional and Super Regional during a season in which the Illini won a school-record 25 games at Illinois Field.
Illinois swept the Big Ten individual awards for the first time in school history with first baseman David Kerian being named Player of the Year, left hander Tyler Jay selected as Pitcher of the Year and Dan Hartleb garnering Coach of the Year. Jay went on to earn first-team All-America honors while Kerian and pitcher Kevin Duchene were chosen as second-team All-Americans. Immediately following the season a school-record nine players were selected in the MLB Draft, highlighted by Jay's selection at No. 6 overall by the Minnesota Twins to become the highest draft pick in Illini history.
Team of the Year: Baseball
Coach of the Year: Dan Hartleb, baseball
Dike Eddleman Female Athlete of the Year: Stephanie Richartz, track & field
Dike Eddleman Male Athlete of the Year: Tyler Jay, baseball
Female Big Ten Medal of Honor: Liz McMahon, volleyball
Male Big Ten Medal of Honor: Will Krug, baseball
Female Newcomer of the Year: Brandi Donnelly, volleyball
Male Newcomer of the Year: Isaiah Martinez, wrestling
Female Fighting Illini Spirit Award: Melissa Kopinski, tennis
Male Fighting Illini Spirit Award: Reilly O'Toole, football
