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Joe Mihalics

BUFFALO, NY ­ The University at Buffalo baseball team handed out its season-ending awards to four players who played integral parts to the success of the UB baseball team in 2004.

Receiving awards from head coach Bill Breene and his staff were junior Joe Mihalics (Tonawanda, NY/Timon/St. Jude), sophomore James Kingsley (Medina, NY/Medina), freshman Mark Tourangeau (Oakville, Ontario/Queen Elizabeth Park) and freshman Bryan Thrasher (Utica, NY/Proctor).

Mihalics earned Most Valuable Player honors after his record-breaking season. The junior shortstop led the team in batting average (.349), runs (43), hits (76), triples (5) and stolen bases (7). He set the school record for hits in a season and upped his career hit total to a school-record 176. He also led the Mid-American Conference in triples.

James Kingsley

Kingsley had a breakout season in 2004 and was rewarded by being named the team's Most Improved Player. After hitting .264 with three doubles, a home run and seven RBI in 2003, the sophomore slugger erupted to hit .332 with 70 hits in 2004. He led the team in home runs (7), RBI (40) and set the school record for doubles in a season with 20. He moved to first base after playing third base in 2003 and didn't miss a beat. In fact, Kingsley had only one error in 437 chances and set the school record for putouts in a season (411).

Mark Tourangeau

Tourangeau was named the team's Top Newcomer following his freshman campaign. The righty led the Bulls in wins with four and ranked third in strikeouts with 40. He tossed a complete game to pick up the win over Canisius on May 5. He had a season-high seven strikeouts against Akron (4/3) and Niagara (5/12).

Bryan Thrasher

Thrasher earned the Coach's Award. Over 28 games, the freshman outfielder hit .269 with three doubles, two triples and nine RBI. Once inserted in the starting lineup on against St. Bonaventure on April 21, Thrasher responded by going on a 13-game hitting streak and increased his batting average from .100 to .319 before finishing the season hitting .269.

The UB baseball team finished the season 15-39 overall and 4-18 in the MAC.