Outfielder Tony Konicek, a two-time first-team NCAA Division III All-American from Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minn., has signed a 2008 contract with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League.
A native of Rochester, Minnesota, Konicek was the two-time most valuable player of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and a three-time All-MIAC selection.
Konicek reflected on his Gustavus experience by saying, “My time at Gustavus taught me a lot – both on and off the field – and I will always remember those who made their mark on me. I am now looking forward to processing all that I learned, and moving on – both personally and athletically.”
Konicek led all Division III players with a .895 slugging percentage as a senior in 2007; in 36 games he hit .452 with 10 home runs and 55 RBIs. He began the season as the Gusties’ centerfielder before switching to third base.
In addition to earning the Max Molock MIAC Most Valuable Player Award for the second year in a row, Konicek was honored as the 2007 Midwest Region Position Player of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and named to the NCAA All-American First Team as a third baseman.
“I look forward to working with Tony; his numbers are just a small portion of what he adds to our team,” said Otters manager Jason Verdugo, who faced Konicek as coach of Hamline University. “Tony adds a very strong winning attitude and competitive fire. In six years I have coached in the MIAC, I have allowed 5 intentional walks…4 to him, in the same game….that’s how much respect I have for Tony and his ability.”
As a junior in 2006, Tony was named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-American First Team after hitting .484 with 8 homeruns, 49 RBI’s, 28 runs scored and a .989 fielding average.
Konicek finished as the Gusties’ career leader in batting average (.440), hits (228), triples (12), RBIs (178) and runs scored (tied with 135). His 31 home runs, 53 doubles and 518 at bats rank second all-time among Gustavus Adolphus batters.
The Mayo High School graduate also holds the Gusties’ single season record for at bats (171), hits (74) and RBIs (55). He is the first multiple-time All-American in Gustavus Adolphus baseball history.
The Otters 2008 season will open May 21st, 2008 against the reigning 2007 Frontier League Champion Windy City ThunderBolts.
The Frontier League is a 12-team independent professional baseball league with teams in Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
(Release courtesy of Scott Trible of the Evansville Otters)