Brantley Named To All-SAC Baseball Team

For the first time in five seasons, a USAO baseball player has earned post-season honors. Senior Brandon Brantley was one of four starting pitchers named to the All-Sooner Athletic Conference team, officials announced Monday.

“I’m very proud of Brandon,” said USAO coach L.J. Powell. “He won three big ball games for us late in the season that gave us a chance to make the conference tournament. Brandon was a great on-field leader for our team, and our guys gained a lot of confidence with him on the mound.”

After losing his first start,  , a 6-foot-3 right-hander from Sterling, won eight of his last nine games, including USAO’s first-ever win over nationally-ranked Oklahoma City and victories over Lubbock Christian and Northwestern. 

Brantley posted an 8-2 record in 2005, including a team-best 4.46 earned-run average (ERA). He started 11 games, and recorded 73 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings. Brantley allowed 36 earned runs on 82 hits and 29 walks, while holding opponents to a .282 batting average. He also had a team-best eight complete games and one shutout.

OCU’s Nick Klusaw was named the Most Valuable Player, while LCU’s Nathan Blackwood earned Coach of the Year honors.

Other starting pitchers on the All-Conference team include Mike Mlotkowski of OCU, Jeff McLaughlin of OCU, and Brandon Newman of LCU. Wayland Baptist’s Brian Hewitt was named the SAC’s top relief pitcher.  

The remaining members of the All-SAC baseball team include: first baseman Klusaw; second baseman Frankie Ibarra of Oklahoma Baptist; third baseman Matt Imwalle of OCU; shortstop Fernando Cortez of LCU; utility Cameron Clark of OCU;

Also, outfielders Anthony Bennett of LCU, Danny Guidry of OBU, Ryan Andrews of Southern Nazarene, Felix Peguero of OBU; catchers Justin Sundlie of LCU, Adam Dalby of OBU; and designated hitter Brian Madden of SNU. website

A complete All-Conference player list is available on the SAC Website