Senior Week 2020: Baseball

In honor of Senior Week, Anderson University is recognizing the 2020 senior classes for the spring sports. The sixth and final feature recognizes baseball seniors Brooks Bireley, Jackson Bland, Hunter Cornelius, Kyle Hall, Nick Jones, Chuck Kidd, Logan Long, Leo Marrero, Jordan May, Joe Moran, Kennedy Parker, Thomas Parker, Adam Paschal, Andrew Rolfsen, Anthony Rossok, Branton Sanders, Grant Thompson and Jonathan Willoughby.

Brooks Bireley – Brownsburg, Ind. – Brownsburg HS

Major: Criminal Justice

Career Bio: Brooks returned for his fifth season after missing most of his sophomore year due to an injury. During the 2018 season, Brooks went 34-for-105 with a .324 batting average and a .410 on-base percentage. He contributed 26 RBIs, eight doubles and 16 runs. For his career, Brooks went 43-for-166 with a .259 batting average. He totaled 32 RBIs and 11 doubles in his career.

Jackson Bland – Lebanon, Ind. – Lebanon HS

Major: Criminal Justice

Career Bio: In his junior year, Jackson recorded three saves, which tied for fifth in the HCAC. As a senior, he totaled seven and one-third innings in four games, finishing the season 1-0 with one save. He put together a 1.23 ERA, a 0.54 WHIP, a .130 opponent batting average and 11.05 strikeouts per nine innings.

During his career, Jackson provided two saves and four wins. He struck out 48 batters in 47 and one-third innings for 9.19 strikeouts per nine innings. Jackson earned academic all-HCAC honors as a sophomore and a junior.

Favorite Memory: His favorite memory was beating Heidelberg this year when they were ranked No. 5 in the country.

Plans After Graduation: Jackson plans on pursuing a career in Law Enforcement.

Hunter Cornelius – Switz City, Ind. – White River Valley HS

Major: Business Administration

Career Bio: Hunter tallied 18 runs, 12 RBIs and 16 hits in his career. He cranked a two-run homer in his at bat against Wisconsin-Stevens Point this season.

Favorite Memory: Hunter's favorite memory was sweeping Earlham sophomore year with two walk-offs. Two of his best friends, Jonathan Willoughby and Chuck Kidd, did the deed.

Kyle Hall – South Bend, Ind. – Marian HS

Major: Management

Career Bio: Kyle received academic all-HCAC honors as a sophomore and a junior. He was an HCAC Christopher M. Ragsdale Sportsmanship recipient in his junior year. Kyle recorded four runs and five hits in his career.

Favorite Memory: His favorite memory was sweeping Earlham sophomore year in two walk-offs at Don Brandon Field.

Plans After Graduation: Kyle plans to attend the RMBA master's program at Anderson University.

Nick Jones – New Castle, Ind. – New Castle HS

Major: Business Administration

Career Bio: Nick is a two-time all-HCAC selection. He is 113-for-356 in his career for a .317 batting average. Nick has also provided 46 stolen bases, 19 doubles and three triples in his career. He has contributed a .961 career fielding percentage. Nick is also 5-4 with four saves in 54 and two-thirds innings in his career.

As a sophomore, Nick garnered first-team all-HCAC honors. Nick went 47-for-128 with eight doubles, two triples and 19 stolen bases. He finished the season with a .367 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage. As a pitcher, Nick went 4-2 with three saves. He compiled a 3.28 ERA in 24 and two-thirds innings.

As a junior, Nick earned second-team all-conference recognition. Nick went 40-for-153 with a .261 batting average. He also stole 18 bases, which ranked fifth in the HCAC.

This year, he went 13-for-26 with a .500 batting average in six games. Nick tallied seven stolen bases and four doubles. He posted a .536 on-base percentage and a .654 slugging percentage.

Chuck Kidd – Valparaiso, Ind. – Boone Grove HS

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Career Bio: Chuck went 85-for-291 with a .292 batting average and a .418 on-base percentage in his career. He notched 63 RBIs, 39 runs, 15 doubles and 12 stolen bases. Chuck also put together a .988 career fielding percentage.

As a freshman, he provided five doubles, two homers and 16 RBIs. In his sophomore season, Chuck went 25-for-75 with a .333 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage. He also drove in 19 runs. As a junior, he went 32-for-113 with a .283 batting average and a .433 on-base percentage. Chuck turned in 26 RBIs, eight doubles, 15 runs and eight stolen bases.

Logan Long – Frankton, Ind. – Frankton HS

Major: Finance

Career Bio: Logan has recorded four RBIs and three hits in his career.

Leo Marrero – Katy, Texas – Cinco Ranch HS

Major: Cinema & Media Arts

Career Bio: Leo tallied three runs and two stolen bases during his career.

Favorite Memory: Leo's favorite memory is the annual Florida road trips. The amount of team bonding is unreal. This year, the team was very fortunate to be able to fly, which was a great experience. Every day was something new and fun with the team and coaches. It was an ultimate memory that Leo will never forget.

Jordan May – New Castle, Ind. – New Castle HS

Major: Business Information Systems

Career Bio: Jordan put together a 3.21 ERA while striking out 17 batters in 14 innings for 10.93 strikeouts per nine innings as a junior. During his career, Jordan is 2-1 with one save. He has fanned 34 batters in 44 and one-third innings for 6.90 strikeouts per nine innings.

Favorite Memory: His favorite memory was the comeback win at Victory Field last season.

Plans After Graduation: Jordan plans on getting into work with the government doing Cybersecurity work.

Joe Moran – Anderson, Ind. – Anderson HS

Major: Management

Career Bio: During his junior year, Joe was named the HCAC MVP as the conference's top offensive player. Additionally, he earned first-team all-conference honors as a pitcher. Joe was a consensus all-region selection, receiving American Baseball Coaches Association second-team all-region honors and D3Baseball.com third-team all-region recognition. During the summer, he was selected as a Northwoods League All-Star and was named to the Major League Dreams Showcase. Joe then became the first player in HCAC history to be invited to the Cape Cod Baseball League. He has received four HCAC Player-of-the-Week selections, which include three as a hitter and one as a pitcher. Joe has also earned academic all-HCAC honors as a sophomore and a junior.

At the plate, Joe went 110-for-307 in his career. He compiled a .358 batting average, .469 on-base percentage and a .524 slugging percentage. Joe has totaled 63 runs, 62 RBIs, 22 doubles, nine homers and 34 stolen bases.

On the pitcher's mound, Joe went 14-3 with a 3.05 ERA and 10.42 strikeouts per nine innings in his career. He struck out 147 batters, issued 61 walks and allowed 52 runs (43 earned) on 109 hits in 127 innings. In his junior season, Joe collected seven wins, which tied for the conference lead.

Favorite Memories: Joe's favorite memories include Anderson's HCAC Tournament run two years ago, beating Baldwin Wallace and No. 5 Heidelberg this year, and the Florida Spring Break trips.

Kennedy Parker – McCordsville, Ind. – Mt. Vernon HS

Major: Management

Career Bio: Kennedy went 3-2 as a junior. During his senior year, Kennedy compiled a 2.08 ERA and struck out 23 batters in 21 and two-thirds innings for 9.55 strikeouts per nine innings. He went 6-6 in his career and totaled 74 strikeouts.

Thomas Parker – Huntington, Ind. – Huntington North HS

Major: Sports Marketing

Career Bio: Thomas earned all-HCAC Honorable Mention as a sophomore and followed up by garnering second-team all-HCAC honors as a junior. He was also selected as a Prospect League All-Star last summer.

Thomas stole 23 bases as a sophomore, which ranked third in the conference and tied for 49th in the nation. He went 50-for-187 with a .267 batting average. Thomas notched 38 runs, 33 RBIs, seven doubles and three triples. As a junior, Thomas swiped 26 bases, which lead the conference and tied for 31st in the nation. Thomas went 36-for-130 with a .277 batting average. He tallied 28 runs, 25 RBIs, 10 doubles and three triples.

Thomas started his senior season going 12-for-40 at the plate for a .300 batting average. He also stole six bases. During his career, Thomas went 108-for-403 with a .268 batting average. He has also tallied 61 stolen bases, 84 runs, 73 RBIs, 21 doubles and six triples.

Adam Paschal – Muncie, Ind. – Delta HS

Major: History

Career Bio: As a sophomore, Adam went 43-for-147 with a .293 batting average and a .427 on-base percentage. He produced 29 RBIs, 28 runs, 12 doubles, two homers and five stolen bases. Adam earned all-HCAC Honorable Mention as a junior. He went 25-for-92 with a .272 batting average. Adam put together 20 runs and five doubles. Last summer, Adam was selected as an Indiana Collegiate Summer League All-Star.

During his career, Adam went 84-for-325 with a .258 batting average. He also compiled a .396 on-base percentage and a .980 field percentage. Adam threw out 33-of-92 stolen base attempts for a caught-stealing percentage of .359. He totaled 61 walks, 58 runs, 49 RBIs, 22 doubles, three homers, three triples and 10 stolen bases.

Andrew Rolfsen – Fort Wayne, Ind. – Bishop Dwenger HS

Major: Finance

Career Bio: As a sophomore, Andrew struck out 37 batters in 36 and one-third innings. He compiled a 3.96 ERA and 9.17 strikeouts per nine innings. As a junior, Andrew tallied three wins. He fanned 44 batters in 34 innings for 11.65 strikeouts per nine innings.

During his career, Andrew struck out 97 batters in 88 and two-thirds innings for 9.85 strikeouts per nine innings. He picked up four wins and a save.

Favorite Memories: His favorite memories are playing in the HCAC Championship game sophomore year and the Spring Break trips to Florida.

Plans After Graduation: Andrew plans to find a job in the financial industry, whether it's financial advising or wealth management.

Anthony Rossok – Greencastle, Ind. – Greencastle HS

Major: Elementary Education

Career Bio: Anthony has recorded three innings pitched and two strikeouts in his career.

Favorite Memory: His favorite memory is being around the guys at practice.

Plans After Graduation: Anthony plans to find a teaching and coaching job.

Branton Sanders – Whiteland, Ind. – Whiteland HS

Major: Business Administration

Career Bio: Branton returned for his fifth season after being limited to four games in 2019 due to injury. He was a second-team all-HCAC selection in 2017. Branton has also garnered academic all-HCAC honors in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

In 2017, Branton went 46-for-140 with a .329 batting average and a .430 on-base percentage. Branton belted four triples, which tied for fourth in the HCAC. He also contributed 37 runs, 32 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and nine doubles. In 2018, Branton finished 22-for-53 with a .415 batting average, a .476 on-base percentage and a .679 slugging percentage. He tallied 14 uns and two homers.

Branton went 104-for-315 for a .330 batting average in his career. He produced 71 runs, 68 RBIs, 38 stolen bases, 20 doubles, nine triples, a .417 on-base percentage and a .479 slugging percentage.

Grant Thompson – Selma, Ind. – Wapahani HS

Major: Management

Career Bio: Grant recorded 21 runs, eight doubles and two triples as a sophomore. As a junior, he went 19-for-66 with a .288 batting average and a .412 on-base percentage. He totaled 22 runs, two homers and two triples. Grant was selected to the HCAC All-Tournament Team and then was named an Indiana Collegiate Summer League All-Star during the summer.

During his career, Grant went 49-for-196 with a .250 batting average and a .373 on-base percentage. He produced 50 runs, 14 doubles and five triples.

Favorite Memory: His favorite memory is all the time he has spent with his teammates, but more specifically, Joe Moran, Nick Jones and Tyler Burton.

Plans After Graduation: Grant plans to sell insurance with assistant coach Nate McKeon.

Jonathan Willoughby – Speedway, Ind. – Speedway HS

Major: Sports Marketing

Career Bio: Jonathan garnered second-team all-HCAC recognition as a sophomore. He went 46-for-139 with a .331 batting average and a .472 on-base percentage. Jonathan provided 29 runs, 29 RBIs, 11 doubles and seven stolen bases. This season, Jonathan went 12-for-37 with five doubles. He put together a .324 batting average and a .419 on-base percentage.

During his career, Jonathan went 101-for-371 with a .272 batting average and a .388 on-base percentage. He has put together 66 runs, 59 RBIs, 22 doubles and 16 stolen bases.

Favorite Memories: His favorite memories are the two walk-off wins against Earlham in 2018 and the 2018 HCAC Tournament run.

Plans After Graduation: Jonathan hopes to get into the MBA program at Anderson University.

"Proverbs 20:24 – 'For the Lord directs our every path, so why try to understand every step along the way?' This is one of my favorite scriptures, though my heart still aches for our season and our seniors," Head Coach Mathew Bair said. "This group has been ALL IN since Day 1, and I am forever proud and grateful. You are awesome men, servant leaders and future mentors. I love each of you more than you'll ever know."