LOCAL NOTEBOOK: GF's Ryan Muizelaar earns MAC honor for Ball State baseball team
Mar. 20—GRAND FORKS — Ball State graduate senior Ryan Muizelaar has been named the Mid-American Conference baseball player of the week. After three years at the University of Jamestown, the former Grand Forks Red River and Grand Forks Royals American Legion standout is playing his final season at Ball State in Muncie, Ind.
Muizelaar had a big weekend in leading Ball State to a sweep of Eastern Michigan. He started with a three-run home run in the first inning on Friday and added a two-run single in the fifth frame of the 17-13 win for the Cardinals, finishing 3-for-6 with five RBI for the day. Muizelaar followed that up with a go-ahead grand slam in the fifth on Saturday to put Ball State ahead 6-3 and an RBI single in the eighth in a 9-4 triumph.
The Sunday series finale saw Muizelaar go 4-for-4 with two RBI singles and a sac fly to help the Cardinals secure the sweep. The utility man, who has been manning third base this season, also hit a double and scored a run on Tuesday night at No. 25 Kentucky.
Muizelaar bumped his batting average to . 323 with the 10-hit week and increased his RBI total to 20 thanks to 14 in the four games. Red Lake Falls' Steve Philion, the head boys basketball coach at Minnesota Section 8A champion Red Lake County, has been honored by the Minnesota State High School League with the Distinguished Service Award for commitment to officiating.
Philion has been a registered official with the MSHSL for 50 years. Philion officiates football, volleyball and softball. "His versatility across multiple sports speaks to his dedication and deep understanding of officiating standards, and most importantly, giving of his own time to ensure student-athletes have a chance to compete in the fall, winter and spring," said Kevin Kuznia, Stephen-Argyle principal.