WAYNE, Neb. - The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) has released the 2009 ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region teams with Concordia University earning two first team selections, seniors Jake Schmidt (Oakdale, Minn.) and Chris Herbert (White Bear Lake, Minn.). Schmidt was also honored at the 2009 ABCA/Rawlings Central Region Pitcher of the Year as he continues his bid for a Division II strikeout crown. 2009 ABCA/RAWLINGS ALL-CENTRAL REGION TEAMS
The ABCA teams validate the Daktronics selections made last week, with Schmidt and Herbert earning first team nods on both squads and Schmidt securing Pitcher of the Year on both as well. The only difference between the two CU first team selections was where Schmidt was placed as he earned first team honors as a utility on Daktronics while being selected as a pitcher for the ABCA team.
Both Herbert and Schmidt will advance to the ABCA/Rawlings All-America ballot to be announced at a later date. Last year, both players were ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region Second Team selections. Last year the NSIC and MIAA were the two conferences in the Central Region while this year the Northern Sun is paired with the Rocky Mountain (RMAC).
Schmidt's 13.43 strikeouts per nine innings not only make him the most unhittable pitcher in the region, but put him among the elite in NCAA Division II as he currently leads all pitchers among 229 DII baseball teams. He posted a 7-2 record for the second straight season while notching seven 10-plus strikeout performances in 11 starts. He fanned 30 batters between his last two starts spanning only 14 innings including a career-high and potentially a CU single game record 16 at Minnesota, Crookston. He recorded 103 whifs in 69.0 innings as a senior, beating his former record of 100 he set as a junior in 2008. The 103 strikeouts helped him surpass the CU career strikeout record as he finished with 273 in his four years as a Golden Bear. He finished a career 23-8 pitcher, tying the career wins record while his 37 starts also tied the career mark. At the plate, Schmidt finished the season a .365 hitter with 10 doubles, 10 homers and eight stolen bases while serving as the team's leadoff hitter in all but one of the 47 games he played. He played in centerfield, at first base and second base while committing only one error between the four positions - impressive for a player that showed up to the ballpark not knowing where he'd be trotted out in the field!
Herbert leaves Concordia as one of the most feared power hitters to ever sport the Navy and Gold. He drilled 24 home runs in two seasons, hitting 12 each year to finish third on the CU career home run list. This season he shattered Concordia's single season RBI record, driving in 65 runs while batting anywhere from first to fourth in a potent top of the lineup. A .328 hitter as a junior, Herbert improved just about everywhere for his senior season, leading Concordia in hitting at .372 - a .044 jump from 2008. He closed out the year in style, hitting 9-14 with three home runs and nine RBI to lead CU to a 3-1 series win over Winona State. He tied for the team lead in doubles with 16, scored a team-high 55 runs, led the team in slugging at .686 and tied for the team lead with 11 stolen bases while throwing out 11 base stealers. Herbert also proved he could be a patient hitter, adding even more fear to opposing pitchers as he drew 27 walks and led the NSIC by getting hit by pitch 14 times leading to a .488 on base pct. Herbert's all-around play - defense, slugging and base running, earned him a contract with the St. Paul Saints following the season.
