Holliday, Spencer named to all-conference baseball team

Matt Holliday
Matt Holliday

APPLETON, Wis. — Lawrence University baseball standouts Matt Holliday and Nolan Spencer have been selected for the All-Midwest Conference team in a vote of league coaches.

Holliday (Hong Kong/International) and Spencer (Elmhurst, Ill./York) were both chosen for the North Division team.

Holliday, a sophomore, was chosen for the team for the second consecutive year. An infielder and pitcher, Holliday hit .412 on the season with seven doubles, one triple, two homers and 17 runs batted in in 27 games. He missed the final nine games of the season due to injury. Holliday also posted a 4-1 record with 3.56 earned run average in 30.1 innings. He struck out 12 and walked 10.

In conference play, Holliday hit .410 with two doubles a homer and five runs batted in. He went 2-0 on the mound with a 3.38 earned run average.

Nolan Spencer
Nolan Spencer

Spencer put together an impressive rookie season while starting every game at shortstop with the exception of five games missed due to injury.

Spencer hit a team-high .413 on the season with three doubles, two triples, 21 runs scored, 15 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. Spencer is the first Lawrence freshman to lead the team in hitting and bat .400 since Chris LeFever hit .400 in 1990.

In conference play, Spencer hit .379 with one double, scored seven runs and seven driven in. He also was a standout at shortstop and posted a .962 fielding percentage in league play.

This marks the second consecutive season Lawrence has had a freshman receive all-conference honors with Holliday making the North Division team in 2015. Lawrence is the only team in the league to have a first-year player honored the past two seasons.

Lawrence finished with an 11-25 overall record and finished fifth in the North Division.