MIAC Release

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Saint John's University swept the MIAC Baseball Athlete of the Week honors on Monday, March 9. 

Senior shortstop Michael Gruber (Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska Area) earned the MIAC Player of the Week honor, while senior Joey Stock (Cold Spring, Minn./Saint John's Prep) received the pitcher recognition.

Gruber batted .714 (20-for-28) with 18 RBI, six doubles, a triple and four (4-for-4) stolen bases from the No. 2 spot of the lineup as SJU went 7-1 (in five days) to open its 2020 season last week in Ft. Myers, Fla. He became the 32nd Johnnie to reach 100 career hits March 4 and batted .769 (10-for-13) with runners in scoring position and .824 (14-for-17) with runners on base during the week.

Stock, meanwhile, made two relief appearances and earned a three-inning save in the Johnnies' 16-6 win March 6 over Alvernia (Pa.) in the trip's finale. He struck out nine overall, including eight in 11 batters faced against Alvernia, and recorded an opponent batting average of .083 in four innings.

The MIAC weekly honor is the third for Stock, who achieved the player distinction twice last spring. He batted .241 (7-for-29) with three triples, a home run and seven RBI last week in addition to his pitching performance.

The Johnnies travel to Tucson, Ariz., for seven games over four days March 21-24.