Fort Hays State junior outfielder Ryan Busboom was honored as the Daktronics South Central Region Player of the Year for 2012. The Cortland, Neb., native also earned Daktronics All-South Central Region First Team honors in the outfield, while teammate Nash Smith is a second-team selection in the outfield.
Busboom put up impressive numbers for the 2012 season, nearly leading the MIAA in all three triple crown categories at the end of the regular season. Heading into the MIAA Tournament, Busboom led the MIAA in home runs, RBI, hits, total bases and slugging percentage and ranked fourth in batting average. He ranked seventh nationally in home runs and RBI and eighth nationally in slugging percentage and total bases at the end of the regular season. He ended his year with a .386 batting average, 16 home runs, 66 RBI, 17 doubles, 78 hits, 50 runs scored, 145 total bases, and a .718 slugging percentage. He was a unanimous All-MIAA First Team selection, along with John Calhoun of Washburn and Bret Schwartz of Central Missouri. This was Busboom’s first year playing the outfield in college after converting from third base before the start of the 2012 season. Busboom also garnered NCBWA All-South Central Region First Team honors, released two days ago.
Nash Smith ends his impressive four-year run with the Tigers with a second-team selection in the outfield. Smith earned All-MIAA Second Team honors for the second straight year and all-conference recognition for the third straight year. The senior from Jewell, Kan., ended the year with a .369 batting average, 12 home runs, a team-leading 20 doubles and 56 runs scored, 50 RBI, 133 total bases, .655 slugging percentage, and 10 stolen bases. He entered the MIAA Tournament tied for the conference lead in doubles and was second in home runs, runs scored and total bases.
Below is the Daktronics All-South Central Region Team for 2012…
Player of the Year:
Ryan Busboom, OF, Fort Hays StateA
Pitcher of the Year:
Carl O’Neal, St. Mary’s
FIRST TEAM
Starting Pitchers:
Jaden Dillon, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Carl O’Neal, St. Mary’s
Rene Solis, St. Mary’s
Lee Stoppelman, Central Missouri
Relief Pitcher:
Stephen Johnson, St. Edward’s
First Base:
Austin Rycroft, Central Oklahoma
Second Base:
Kendall Boone, West Texas A&M
Third Base:
John Calhoun, Washburn
Shortstop:
Bret Schwartz, Central Missouri
Catcher:
M.P. Cokinos, St. Mary’s
Outfielders:
Ryan Busboom, Fort Hays State
Justin Henderson, West Texas A&M
Billy Richard, St. Mary’s
Designated Hitter:
Joe Vaskas, Emporia State
Utility Player:
Cameron Dullnig, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Second Team
Starting Pitchers:
Adam Aspaas, Texas A&M-Kingsville
Cody Griebling, Missouri Southern
Pete Perez, Tarleton State
Brandon Simmons, Missouri Western
Relief Pitcher:
Jonathan Perez, St. Mary’s
First Base:
Jonathan Finnegan, Arkansas Tech
*Second Base:
Tucker Brown, Central Oklahoma
Chuck Duarte, Abilene Christian
Third Base:
Kevin Blue, Central Oklahoma
Shortstop:
Jordan Easom, West Texas A&M
Catcher:
Landon Sullins, Arkansas Tech
*Outfielders:
Tyler Christophel, Southwest Baptist
Jason Dahl, Southern Arkansas
Nash Smith, Fort Hays State
Gabe Thibodeau, Central Missouri
Designated Hitter:
Ben Cox, Central Missouri
*Utility Player:
Jess Cooper, West Texas A&M
Eric McGlauflin, Northwest Missouri
*Due to ties in voting, there were four second team selections for outfield and two selections on the second team at second base and utility.
-FHSU Sports Information-