Beeker and Hallquist Voted All-Region by the ABCA

Beeker was named First Team and Hallquist Second Team in the Midwest Region.

Junior southpaw pitcher Merritt Beeker has earned the First Team All-Region accolade by the ABCA, while senior shortstop Michael Hallquist secured a spot on the organization’s Second Team, as announced by the American Baseball Coaches Association on Tuesday.

Beeker, recognized as the MAC Pitcher of the Year, and Hallquist, honored as the MAC Defensive Player of the Year, were both winners of Mid-American Conference specialty awards. The selections for the All-Region teams were determined by members of the ABCA, and the full list of teams is available in the link provided.

In his debut season with the Cardinals after transferring from East Carolina, Beeker excelled with notable achievements, including being named First Team All-MAC and Pitcher of the Year. He boasted 128 strikeouts, the third-highest in a single season in the program’s history, along with a 9-3 record and a 4.11 ERA. Among his impressive accomplishments, Beeker led the league in strikeouts and ranked in the Top 10 in NCAA Division I for season strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings.

Being the fourth Ball State pitcher to receive the First Team All-Region recognition from the ABCA, Beeker joins the ranks of Tyler Schweitzer in 2022, John Baker in 2021, and Drey Jameson in 2019.

Hallquist showcased his prowess by tying for the second-most home runs in a season in the program’s history with 21. Additionally, he exhibited outstanding defensive skills at shortstop, leading to being named First Team All-MAC and Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which celebrates the nation’s top shortstop. Hallquist, hailing from Fargo, North Dakota, led the team in various offensive categories, including batting average, doubles, home runs, RBI, runs scored, OPS, slugging percentage, and total bases.

Moreover, the recipient of the Brooks Wallace Award will be announced on June 19, the forthcoming Wednesday.

In the NCAA Div. I Midwest All-Region First Team, players like Camden Janik from Illinois, Roman Kuntz from Morehead State, Emilien Pitre from Kentucky, Mike Sears from Indiana State, Lucas Loos from Eastern Illinois, Mark Shallenberger from Evansville, Kendal Ewell from Illinois-Chicago, Devin Taylor from Indiana, Kip Fougerousse from Evansville, Merritt Beeker from Ball State, Brody Brecht from Iowa, Connor Wietgrefe from Minnesota, and Mason Burns from Western Kentucky were honored.

On the other hand, the NCAA Div. I Midwest All-Region Second Team featured players such as Brandon Heidal from Oakland, Luis Hernandez from Indiana State, Liam McFadden-Ackman from Northern Kentucky, Steven Loden from Southern Illinois, Raider Tello from Iowa, Michael Hallquist from Ball State, Randal Diaz from Indiana State, Ryan Waldschmidt from Kentucky, Ryley Preece from Morehead State, Treyvin Moss from Northern Kentucky, CJ Richmond from Western Michigan, Kenton Deverman from Evansville, Brennyn Cutts from Indiana State, Luke Helton from Morehead State, Brandon Decker from Oakland, Reece Lawler from Illinois-Chicago, and Zach Davidson from Indiana State.