Throughout the summer, AUM Athletics will look back at the top five moments of the 2012-13 spring sports seasons, beginning this week with baseball. Check back in the next few weeks as we countdown the top five moments from the remaining Spring 2013 sports.
No. 2: Chad Mansmann's Memorable Season Culminates with National Recognition
Auburn Montgomery second baseman Chad Mansmann capped his senior campaign by earning Honorable Mention All-American honors from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In addition, the Millbrook, Ala., native, also earned first-team All-Southern States Athletic Conference accolades and was selected the Warhawks' Champions of Character representative.
Mansmann earned these individual accolades following a stellar season in which he hit .411, a mark which ranked tied for the 14th-best effort in the program's history. He also swiped 39 bases, the second-best total in the school record book. Additionally, he led the team with 58 runs scored, 81 hits, 19 sacrifice hits and a .520 on-base percentage. He also added 10 doubles and 28 runs batted in.
"Rabbit has been through a lot and for him to have the season he had to cap his career is just unreal," assistant coach Clay Booth said. "He was so consistent offensively and his defense improved greatly from his first year. He is the kind of kid that coaches love to have. It seemed like every series the opposing coach would say, 'I'd love to have nine of your second baseman right now.' He loved to play the game and had fun everyday doing it."
In addition to his individual success, Booth made certain to mention the value Mansmann added to the team from a leadership standpoint.
"The leadership he displayed was invaluable," Booth said. "He took several of the younger guys under his wing and helped them improve. The numbers speak for themselves, but his role in the dugout and in the clubhouse may have been even bigger."
ansmann posted a team-leading 28 multi-hit games and has posted hitting streaks of 18 and 17 games. On the national level, he ranked ninth in stolen bases, 13th in batting average, 20th in hits and 24th in runs scored. His average led the SSAC, while his hit total was tied for fifth in the conference. His stolen base total was also fifth in the league.
In his two years with the Warhawks, Mansmann appeared in 93 games and recorded a .372 batting average. He finished with 110 career hits, 48 stolen bases and 80 runs scored.
Check back tomorrow as the top moment from the 2013 season is revealed.
Baseball Top Five Moments
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2. Chad Mansmann's Memorable Season Culminates with National Recognition
3. Eran Franks Emerges as a Top-of-the-line Starter
4. Daniel Farrar Throws 145 Pitches in Win over Southern Poly
5. Redshirt Freshman Shelby Nobles Takes Advantage of Opportunity
