SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association (NCBWA) has released the 2009 NCBWA Division II All-America and Central All-Region Teams. Concordia University seniors Chris Herbert (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Jake Schmidt (Oakdale, Minn.) were each All-America Honorable Mention selections and were both All-Region First Team picks. Schmidt was the NCBWA Central Region Pitcher of the Year, sweeping the three awards (NCBWA, ABCA, Daktronics). NCBWA All-America Teams - NCBWA Central All-Region Team
Herbert and Schmidt proved to be among the best in the nation as a battery. While Herbert was behind the plate for the bulk of Schmidt's school record 103 strikeouts, the duo was also a great tandem at the plate. They opened the season in the 1-2 spots in the batting order and lit-up opposing pitchers as the team started with a 16-3 record, the best start in school history. As the season went on and injuries forced lineup and position changes, they adapted well. Schmidt played four positions (SP/CF/1B/2B) while Herbert excelled behind the plate and at first. Herbert hit in each of the first four spots in the lineup throughout the season as well.
The result at the end was the winningest season in CU baseball history with a final record of 35-18. Herbert led the offense with a .372 average and 12 home runs while driving in a school record 65 RBI. He also tied for the team lead with 11 steals and 16 doubles. He led the team with 55 runs and a .686 slugging pct. He finished his career third on the all-time home run list with 24 in just two seasons.
Schmidt was the most dominant pitcher in the region, leading all Division II pitchers with a 13.43 strikeout per nine inning ratio. His record 103 strikeouts came a year after he set the record with 100 in 2008, posting back-to-back 100 strikeout seasons. He set the career strikeout record with 273 and set a single game mark with 16 at Minnesota Crookston. He finished the season 7-2 with a 3.78 ERA. His 7-2 record was another back-to-back mark and helped him tie the career wins record as he finished his career 23-8. At the plate, Schmidt clubbed 10 homers and 10 doubles in 47 games while hitting .365. He stole eight bases and committed only one error in the field between his four positions.
