May. 14– Concordia juniors Jake Schmidt (Oakdale, MN) and Brenden Furrow (Johnston, IA) were named to the 2008 Daktonics All-North Central Region second team.  Schmidt made the team as a pitcher, while Furrow an outfielder.  The All-Region team is voted on by the Sports Information Directors from the North Central Region of Division II.

Schmidt improved to 7-0 while setting the school single season strikeout record of 90.  On the year, he has a 2.69 earned run average, with only 14 walks in 67.0 innings while holding hitters to a .215 avg.  The three-time NSIC Pitcher of the Week led the Golden Bears to the NSIC tournament title, earning a win and a save in CU's three games last weekend in Wayne, NE. 

At the plate, he is riding a nine game hitting streak, raising his average to .333 and has four home runs, 24 RBI and is slugging .556.

Furrow set the school single-season record with his 65th of the season last weekend against Wayne State.  He leads the team in doubles (15), runs scored (48), batting average (.458) and slugging percentage (.796).  He also is second on the team with 11 home runs.

He started the season on a tear, hitting safely in the first 19 games of the year to extend his hitting streak to 21 games. He led the league in hitting (all games) with a .446 batting average while ranking third in slugging (.785), fourth in on base pct. (.493), fifth in hits (58), fourth in RBI (46) and fifth in home runs (10).

Emporia State’s Keith Hernandez and Central Missouri’s Mark Carey headlined the 2008 Daktronics All-Central Region team today as the Player and Pitcher of the Year.

The NCAA Central Regional No. 1 seed Emporia State landed four players on the first-team while No. 2 seed Nebraska-Omaha also had four first-team selections.

The first and second teams were comprised of four starting pitchers, three outfielders and one of every other field position, including a relief pitcher. All first-team selections are now eligible for All-America honors.

Player of the Year:
Keith Hernandez, C, Emporia State

Pitcher of the Year:
Mark Carey, Central Missouri

First Team
Pitchers:
Tyler Applehans, Emporia State
Mark Carey, Central Missouri
Chris Kessinger, Nebraska-Omaha
Nick Schumacher, Wayne State
Relief Pitcher:
Chris Matlock, Central Missouri
First Base:
Dusty Washburn, Fort Hays State
Second Base:
Greg Laughlin, Southwest Minnesota State
Third Base:
Adam Carolan, Missouri Western
Shortstop:
Evan Porter, Nebraska-Omaha
Catcher:
Keith Hernandez, Emporia State
Outfielders:
Brian Majors, Emporia State
Eric Shortell, Emporia State
Chris Weimer, Nebraska-Omaha
Designated Hitter:
Mike Hallam, Central Missouri
Utility Player:
Dustin Koca, Nebraska-Omaha

Second Team
Pitchers:
Tim Huber, Nebraska-Omaha
Chris Odegaard, Minnesota State
Danny Potje, Central Missouri
Jake Schmidt, Concordia-St. Paul
Relief Pitcher:
Aaron Burris, Emporia State
First Base:
Marc Manganaro, Wayne State
Second Base:
Seth Fox, Upper Iowa
Third Base:
Iain Dykins, Central Missouri
Shortstop:
Adam Kampsen, Northern State
Catcher:
Ryan Majercik, Fort Hays State
Outfielders:
Connor Crumbliss, Emporia State
Mike Feldman, University of Mary
Brenden Furrow, Concordia-St. Paul
Blaine Rutledge, Central Missouri
Designated Hitter:
Lucas Wilsing, Upper Iowa
Utility Player:
Brett Becker, Fort Hays State