Despite missing three starts in the rotation during the 2006 season, The Post’s Male Athlete of the Year, Ohio pitcher/hitter Anthony Gressick persevered through injury as he accumulated some of the best statistics in the Mid-American Conference.

Gressick, a two-way standout, partially tore the labrum of his throwing shoulder in mid-March sliding into second base during a pick-off attempt.

It was initially feared that Gressick would not be available to pitch or play defense for the remainder of the season.

“Being my senior season, I especially wanted to play,” Gressick said. “I knew it was too late to redshirt. It was my last chance at college baseball really and who knows maybe my last shot at baseball.”

Ohio coach Joe Carbone said that despite the injury Gressick worked diligently to return to action.

“I’ve never had a guy take it in stride and not feel sorry for himself and work as hard in rehab,” he said. “Anthony has always done what it takes to get back where he needs to be successful and be at that optimum level of performance.”

Gressick returned to the mound just one month after his injury and although his first performance did not fuel the ’Cats to victory, Ohio centerfielder and teammate of Gressick, Willie Walker described the lift his company brought to the team.

“His presence in the line-up is just enough to give our team confidence and the extra production that he provides,” Walker said. “He’s just a hard working guy that goes out there and goes after it every day.”

Following his return, Gressick went 2-1 as a starter to finish the season 4-1 with a 4.47 earned-run average for second-best on the team. His 8.12 strikeouts per nine innings was best on the team and seventh-best in the MAC.

Gressick’s finest pitching feat came against Akron on May 6 when he allowed just one earned run on seven hits and struck out nine in a complete-game performance.

However, it is Gressick’s hitting statistics that when combined with his pitching abilities made him one of the most dangerous players in the MAC.

By the end of the season Gressick led the team in runs scored with 45; hits, 73; doubles, 16; home runs, 8; RBIs, 43; walks, 25; slugging percentage, .587; and his .372 batting average was second-best to Walker on the team and sixth-best in the conference.

Walker stressed that not only did Gressick have many responsibilities, but he performed exceptionally at each one.

“He does both roles extremely well,” he said. “(It’s important) if you have a guy on a team that gives you that advantage especially when he’s the best at both of those positions in the MAC.”

Carbone emphasized the complexity of playing both roles.

“It’s two separate entities,” Carbone said “It would be like being the quarterback and a middle linebacker. One’s a finesse position and one’s an aggressive, strength position ... so it’s a tough thing to do at this level and he did it better than anybody I’ve ever had here.”

Following the end of the 2006 season Gressick was named to the first All-MAC team for the third time, just the fifth Bobcat in Ohio baseball history to accomplish the feat.

After a very successful senior campaign and collegiate career, Gressick now awaits the results of the annual Major League Baseball draft.

“Well hopefully I’ll get a shot at pro ball with the draft coming up on the sixth (of June),” Gressick said. “Hopefully my name gets picked and I can just go give it my all again. I’m being told right now that my best shot is as a pitcher. If that’s the route that a team goes with me that’s what I’m going to focus 100 percent of my time and effort on ... Whatever they want to go with it is where I’ll take it.”