All-NSIC

St. Paul, Minn. – Northern State baseball had three of its players honored by the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Joel Backous (Sr., IF, Aberdeen, S.D.) was named NSIC First Team All-Conference, while Wes Fisbeck (Sr., 1B, Loveland, Colo.) and Benji Kieffer (Sr., OF, Morris, Minn.) were named to the honorable mention team.
Joel Backous took to the long ball as he hit 10 homeruns in 2005, which doubled his career mark (15 career). His seven homers in NSIC games ranked him third in the league in homers. On the season Backous hit .360 (45-125), led the team in runs with 37 and was second in walks with 16. Backous, over his three years at Northern State, walked more than any other batter; 46 times. He also had the most sacrifice hits (9) and sac flies (9) at Northern dating back through the 1999 season.
Wes Fisbeck led the Wolves in batting with a .377 average (55-146). His 55 hits and 12 doubles led the team, while his 38 RBIs were second on the team. Fisbeck holds nine records at Northern State over his four years, including: games played (177), games started (175), at bats (579), runs scored (121), hits (218), doubles (52), RBIs (163), total bases (361) and put outs (1063). He also finished second at NSU in home runs (29 – one shy of Deacon Burn’s 30) and hit by pitch (19).
Benji Kieffer hit .370 (51-138) as he accumulated the most walks (18) and second most hits (51) for the Wolves. He had the most stolen bases and highest stolen base percentage at Northern dating back through 1999. Kieffer successfully stole 23 bases in 27 attempts (.852). His 13 stolen bases in NSIC games lead the league. Kieffer has the most stolen bases and attempts at Northern State dating back through 1999, as he finished his two-year career reaching on 36 of 41 stolen base attempts. Full Story

2005 NSIC Preseason
Coaches Poll

All-Region

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) has announced their Preseason All-Region Team, along with the preseason top 10 rankings. Northern State's Wes Fisbeck (Sr., 1B, Loveland, Colo.) was named to the North Central first team for his 2004 performance for the Wolves.
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2005 Preview

The Northern State Wolves baseball team finished 17-26 last season. Northern return 10 seniors from last season’s squad and with a strong freshman class the Wolves are looking to move up in the conference standings. Three returning players received NSIC All-Conference team honors. Senior Wes Fisbeck earned first team honors and senior Benji Kieffer and sophomore Valdie Magstadt earned honorable mention.

2004 NSIC Final Conference Standings

Wolves 2005 Preview

Experience and depth are the strength of this 2005 Wolves team. The Wolves return 10 seniors from last year’s squad and are looking for big contributions from these players. Three returning players received All-Conference honors. Senior Wes Fisbeck earned first team honors and junior Benji Kieffer and sophomore Valdie Magstadt earned honorable mention. The biggest challenge is replacing first team All-Conference player Deacon Burns, (CF, Brownwood, TX) was drafted in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins. But with the addition of a strong freshman class the Wolves are up for the challenge.

Catchers:

Three veteran seniors Ben Cupp, Mike Murdy, and Jeff Demarco will handle the pitching staff behind the plate. Cupp hit .322 with 5 homeruns, 5 doubles, and 22 RBI’s last season. Mike Murdy hit .333 with 1 homerun, 5 doubles, and 16 RBI’s. Jeff Demarco hit 4 homeruns with 11 RBI’s.

Infield:

Two senior captains Wes Fisbeck and Joel Backous anchor the infield. First baseman Wes Fisbeck, two-time all NSIC, will lead the Wolves offensive attack. Over his three-year career, Fisbeck has a .376 batting average with 163 hits, 40 doubles, 24 homeruns, and 125 RBI’s. Third baseman Joel Backous hit .347 with 2 homeruns, 7 doubles, and 18 RBI’s. The middle infield consists of senior shortstop Charlie Woida and highly touted freshman second baseman Adam Kampsen, who hit 12 homeruns as a senior in high school. Sophomore Valdie Magstadt, honorable mention all NSIC, will spend time at third base and the outfield. Freshman Mike Paulson, Tyler Oliver, and transfer Matt Sisk will add depth to the infield.

Outfield:

The Wolves have several holes in the outfield with the lost of Deacon Burns. Senior Benji Kieffer, honorable mention all NSIC, hit .369 with 8 doubles, 17 RBI’s, and 13 stolen bases last season will patron centerfield. Junior Justin Downes, sophomores Seth Taylor, and Josh Dougherty, and freshman Andrew Corre will compete for the other two outfield positions.

Pitching Staff:

For the Wolves to be successful the pitching staff needs to improve from last season. The Wolves return 7 hurlers from last season. Seniors Matt Paulson, Joe Dinger, Charlie Woida, Jared Olson, Rhett Gunderson, junior Justin Downes, and Tony Thomas. Paulson finished with a 4-6 record in the 2004 campaign with a 7.15 era. Dinger finished with a 4-3 record with a 6.37 era. Charlie Woida finished with a 1-2 record with a 7.25 era. Jared Olson finished with a 2-4 record, Rhett Gunderson finished 2-5 record, and Downes finished with a 2-3 record with a 5.35 era. Newcomers Matt Reich, Matt Sisk and freshman lefthander Andrew Corre, a member of the Wolves football team, Mike Paulson, and Adam Kampsen will add depth to the staff.

Deacon Burns (Jr., CF, Brownwood, TX) was drafted in the 26th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Minnesota Twins. He is now a member of the Elizabethton Twins a rookie league based out of Elizabethton, TN. Burns was named to the 1st Team All-Region and was the NSIC Co-MVP in 2004. (Full Story)

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