Keystone alum Nathan Archer named MAC player of the year at BGSU

AVON — Everyone in Lorain County already knew Keystone alum Nathan Archer was a special talent. Now the rest of the baseball world in finding out. Archer, the Lorain County Mr. Baseball winner in 2021, and the starting center fielder for Bowling Green returned home Thursday as the 2024 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. He went 1-for-5 with an RBI as the top-seeded Falcons defeated Miami in their first game of the 2024 MAC Tournament at Crushers Stadium. "This is awesome. This year has been everything you dreamed of as a kid," Archer said. "It's an opportunity and privilege to be able to come back here and put on this Bowling Green uniform." In his senior year at Keystone, Archer led the Lorain County League in batting average, hits, RBIs and home runs. Now he's doing much the same for a Falcons team looking to earn its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2013. Archer currently leads the Falcons in doubles (14), home runs (17), RBIs (63) and runs (65). His .307 average is fourth-best in the Bowling Green lineup. "Nathan Archer is a special player," Falcons coach Kyle Hallock said. "If we could get more guys to come in and play center field like he does, we can win for a long time. He's on his way to the next level when we're done with this season. "Recruiting him out of high school was an easy decision. He was an obvious talent." Archer was the first Falcons player to win MAC Player of the Year honors since 2005 and one of only two players in the league this season with 15 or more home runs and three or more triples. "I never really thought I'd be in this position," Archer said. "I always try to take it one day at a time and whatever happens happens. All I know is I can put by best foot forward every day. I trust in the work I've put in to get this far." Archer hit two home runs in a game earlier this season at Oakland and also had a five-hit game against MAC foe Akron. "All of the intangibles I can control, I make sure those are in check," Archer said. "Beyond that I just work hard and trust in God." Archer, Bowling Green's leadoff hitter, has had at least one hit in seven of the Falcons' last eight games. Now he's just two wins away from being able to showcase his talents in the NCAA Tournament. "This is something I've always dreamed about but now that it's here it's even sweeter than the dreams," Archer said. Over the past two seasons, Archer, who was also named to the 2024 All-MAC Defensive Team, has started 101 consecutive games. Contact Todd Shapiro at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.