Bolivar, Mo. - The SBU baseball team finished it's 2012 season with a 21-28-1 record, which featured a doubleheader sweep over then 8th ranked Emporia State and an eight game winning streak.  The team finished with a winning record at home and won 14 games in the MIAA, tying the school record.  Two players received MIAA Athlete of the Week Honors throughout the season (Tyler Christophel, Drew Miller) and Miller was named the NABC National Player of the Week during March.  Miller was also named All-MIAA 1st Team Catcher, Tyler Christophel was named All-MIAA 2nd Team as an Outfielder and Jacob Sullinger was named All-MIAA Honorable Mention as a Relief Pitcher.  Listed below are the post-season awards handed out by the team, along with the season accomplishments and school records set by the 2012 team.

Pitcher of the Year:  Mike Nielebeck - Nielebeck went 6-7 on the year for the Bearcats, throwing 91 2/3 innings.  He struck out 60 hitters on the year.  He completed 6 games for the Bearcats and the team won 8 of his 15 starts.

Hitter of the Year:  Drew Miller, Tyler Christophel - Miller and Christophel each had 63 hits to lead the Bearcats.  Miller led the team in RBI's with 45 and hit .382 on the season.  Christophel led the team and MIAA in runs scored and stolen bases.  He also led the team in home runs.

Defensive Player of the Year:  Landon Young - Young anchored the infield for the Bearcats and made only 7 errors at 2nd Base.  He made a number of highlight catches throughout the year and was involved in 20 double plays.

Most Improved Player:  Jacob Sullinger - Sullinger lowered his ERA by nearly nine points this year and earned All-MIAA honors.  He led the Bearcats with 24 appearances, 4 saves and also won 5 games. 

Kent Keeth Award:  Cody Crutcher - The Kent Keeth Award is named after the late Kent Keeth, a Bearcat baseball player who passed away in 1975.  Keeth was known for his work ethic and team attitude.  The Kent Keeth Award will go to one player annually who embodies the Bearcat spirit of hard work in the classroom, on the field and off the field.  The winner's name will be displayed on a plaque in the Bearcat Baseball facilities.  This year's winner is Cody Crutcher.  Crutcher appeared in 37 games for the Bearcats, starting 35.  The senior from North Pole, Alaska was a great teammate, always supporting the team regardless of the role he was playing.  Crutcher was one of the hardest working Bearcats, spending extra time on ground balls and in the cages.  He will graduate next year.

Single Season/Single Game/Team Records Set in 2012
- Most hits in a game (5) Spencer Blacksher vs MO Valley (2/20)
- Most hits in a game (5) Tyler Christophel vs Central Oklahoma (3/17)
- Most doubles in a game (3) Drew Miller vs Central Methodist (3/6)
- Most stolen bases in a game (3) Tyler Christophel (3 times)
- Single Season Runs Scored (56) Tyler Christophel
- Single Season Most Innings Pitched (383.67)
- Single Season Fielding Percentage (.959)
- Single Season Assists (503)
- Single Season Putouts (1151)
- Single Season Games Started (15) Mike Nielebeck
- Single Season MIAA Wins (14)

2012 Season Accomplishments
- 1st season opening win since 2006
- Most runs since April 6, 2010 vs Lincoln (15 vs  Central Methodist)
- First series win since taking 3 of 4 vs Truman on April 17, 2010 (vs Upper Iowa)
- Most hits since May 7, 2009 vs Pitt State (18 vs Lincoln)
- First win vs. Emporia State since 2009
- First doubleheader sweep of Emporia State since 2000
- First MIAA doubleheader sweep since April 5, 2010 (Emporia State)
- First ever 4 game MIAA weekend sweep (Lincoln)
- First 3 or 4 game sweep since 2005 vs Truman State (Lincoln)
- First double header road sweep since 2008 vs Pitt State (at Truman State)
- 20 wins for first time since 2006
- First win vs Missouri Western since 2009
- Lowest ERA since before 2000
- Most hits since 2000