2011 All-GLIAC release

May 13, 2011 - Hillsdale College senior infielder Adam Connell brought his college career to a close with his finest season on the diamond. On Friday, he was rewarded with his first postseason conference honor.

Connell was named Second-Team All-GLIAC in a vote taken by conference coaches. Joining Connell on the Second Team was freshman DH/1B Matt Pochmara. In addition, senior Brent Opland and junior Chris Stephens were each named honorable mention All-GLIAC for the 2011 season.

Connell was a starting infielder for four years and the team's leadoff hitter for two. In 2011, he put together his best offensive season, leading the team in games played, at bats, runs scored, total hits, doubles, triples, runs batted in and stolen bases. He also supplied the team with an athletic and dependable presence in the middle infield.

Connell was the only player on the team to start and play in all 46 games this season, and his 29 RBI led the team, very unusual for a leadoff hitter.


For the second year in a row, a freshman earned Second-Team All-GLIAC honors, thanks to Pochmara's impact first season with the Chargers. Splitting his time between first base and the DH slot in the lineup, Pochmara led all starters with a .313 batting average, and had 26 hits in 83 at-bats. Mike Vanchieri was a freshman in 2010, when he was named Second-Team All-GLIAC, in addition to his Freshman of the Year honor.
Opland was forced to become part of the starting pitching rotation due to numerous injuries before the season, and he emerged as one of the team's most consistent hurlers. He led the staff with five wins on the season.

Stephens was the team's top power hitter, leading the club with three home runs in 2011. He improved his batting average to .294, second on the team among the regulars. His 23 runs batted in were also second on the team.