By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — Batters in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference learned the hard way that scratcing across a run or two off Saint Mary's University of Minnesota's James Green (East Bethel, Minn.) is no easy task.
 
In fact, that task virtually impossible.
 
Yet, while Green proved to be a real thorn in the sides of his conference opponents, coaches around the MIAC certainly could appreciate the season he put together.
 
And Tuesday, Green was recognized for those efforts, being voted the MIAC's Mike Augustin Pitcher of the Year, as well as earning First-Team All-MIAC honors for a second straight year.
 
Green wasn't alone in the MIAC spotlight, either, as Matthew Piechowski (Hutchinson, Minn.) and Justin Weinberg (Eagan, Minn.) joined their teammate on the All-MIAC First-Team.
 
Macalester's Graham Low was named the Max Molock Player of the Year, while Concordia's Andy Gravdahl earned Rookie of the Year honors, and Gustavus' Brad Baker was tabbed the Jim Dimick Coach of the Year.
 
"Nobody is more deserving of this award than James," said Cardinal pitching coach T.J. Oakes. "He is a tireless worker and continues to get the most out of his ability every single day. His compete level and determination to be the best pitcher that he can is what takes him to the top. 
 
"James had a very special year that will be remembered for years to come," Oakes added. "The way he carries himself on and off the field is admirable — he displays a humbleness and kindness that makes him so well-liked amongst our team. I am so happy for James — he deserves every bit of the success he's had."
 
Green was unbeatable in conference play this season, going a perfect 6-0 with a 1.29 ERA in six appearances — including a team-high five starts. Green threw four complete games — including back-to-back-to-back shutouts — allowed just five runs, while walking six and striking out 33. Opponents hit a paltry .213 off the sophomore right-hander, who only surrendered one extra-base hit among the 27 hits he allowed.
 
In 10 overall appearances this season, Green compiled a near-perfect 8-1 record and a microscopic 1.85 ERA. He logged a team-leading 58.1 innings and pitched at least six innings in eight of his nine of his starts. Opponents hit just .194 against Green, who accounted for four of the pitching staff's six complete games, boasted a team-high 63 strikeouts — including a career-high 13 against No. 1-ranked Concordia-Chicago on March 22 — and walked just 10 batters.
 
Piechowski and Weinberg provided the Cardinal offense with a potent 1-2 punch from the top of the lineup in leading Saint Mary's to its second straight MIAC Tournament berth — and its sixth post-season appearance in the last eight years.
 
Piechowski hit a team-leading .387 (24-for-62) in 19 conference games, while Weinberg — one of just three players to start all 20 MIAC contests — was close behind with a .352 batting average (25-for-71). Piechowski also led the Cardinals in runs (12), doubles (6), home runs (1), total bases (35), slugging percentage (.565), on-base percentage (.443) and stolen bases (3). Weinberg, meanwhile, led the team in at-bats (71) and hits (25), while adding 10 runs, a pair of doubles, a triple, and six RBIs. He finished with 29 total bases, a .408 slugging percentage and a .403 on-base percentage.
 
In 37 overall games this season, Piechowski hit a team-best .406, while also leading or sharing the team lead in runs (32), hits (52), triples (4), home runs (2), total bases (73), slugging percentage (.570), on-base percentage (.476), and stolen bases (10). The junior outfielder belted his first collegiate home run — a grand slam — in the Cardinals' 11-1, season-opening win over Cabrini on Feb. 24, before adding his second of the year in Game 1 against Augsburg on April 23.
 
Like his junior counterpart, Weinberg also had a memorable 2019, boasting a .373 batting average in 35 games, sitting second to Piechowski in at-bats (127), runs (20), and hits (46). He delivered seven doubles, one triple, and 12 RBIs, while collecting 55 total bases, a .443 slugging percentage and a .410 on-base percentage. Weinberg was held hitless in the nightcap against Hamline on April 18, snapping the junior's hitting streak at a career-high 20 games. It was the longest hitting streak since Ben Buerkle hit safely in 20 consecutive games during the 2014 season. Weinberg also reached base safely in 30 of the team's last 31 games.
 
The MIAC also announced the 12th annual All-MIAC Sportsmanship team for baseball, which included the Cardinals' Dixon Irwin (Red Wing, Minn.).