Ian Happ Named American Player of the Year

May 18, 2015

CINCINNATI -- University of Cincinnati baseball junior Ian Happ (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) joined exclusive company on Monday when he was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, as announced by the league. He also was a unanimous pick to the All-American Athletic Conference First Team. Player of the Year and All-Conference teams are decided on by a vote of the league's eight head coaches. 

"Ian has worked hard this season and is very deserving of this award" said head coach Ty Neal.

Happ is the first UC player to earn the top conference honor since MLB All-Star Josh Harrison was tabbed the BIG EAST Player of the Year in 2008. Chris Holt is the only other UC player since 1985 to take home the award when he was named the Great Midwest Most Valuable Player in 1995.

Happ finished the regular season leading the American in batting average (.366), slugging percentage (.681), on-base percentage (.490), total bases (130) and walks (47). He also ranks among the top-10 in runs scored (45), hits (70), RBIs (43), doubles (18) and homeruns (14).

His 47 walks in 2015 tie him for seventh all-time in the UC single season record book while he sits in ninth with 14 homeruns. Additionally, this season he set career highs with five hits and two homeruns in a game against Memphis (April 12) and with four runs scored against Xavier (April 22).

Happ earned All-American Athletic Conference honors for the second time after also being named to the first team as a sophomore in 2014.

The junior is currently in the running for the Golden Spikes Award after being named to the 30-man watch list on May 7. He also was named Capital One Academic All-District and is a candidate for Academic All-America honors which will be revealed later this month.

Happ and the Bearcats are the No. 8 seed in the American Athletic Conference Championship and open play against top-seeded Houston on Tuesday, May 19, in Clearwater, Florida. The game will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network and is scheduled for a 7:06 first pitch.

-GoBEARCATS.com-