University of Indianapolis Athletics

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INDIANAPOLIS- As selected by the region's sports information directors, UIndy senior Ben Sondgeroth (Rock Falls, Ill./Rock Falls) and junior Chase Kittinger (Carmi, Ill./Carmi White County) were named to the 2009 Daktronics, Inc. Baseball All-Midwest Region First Team.  The two Greyhound hitters were joined by teammates Cory White (South Fulton, Tenn./South Fulton) and Cory Rupert (Indianapolis, Ind./Southport), as both starting pitchers made the second team.

Ben Sondgeroth was named the Midwest’s top designated hitter, though he just missed being eligible at the utility spot after having started at least 11 games at three other positions (1B, 3B, C).  After driving in 13 runs in the GLVC Tourney, Sondgeroth needs just three more RBI to break the school’s single-season record, and four to break the program’s career mark.  The Greyhound clean-up hitter has 15 homeruns on the year to share the fourth highest single-season total in school history.

In his first season at UIndy, junior Chase Kittinger was named the Midwest Region’s first-team catcher.  The transfer from Rend Lake Community College ranks second in the GLVC in batting average (.394) and fourth in runs scored (52).  Kittinger hits third for a UIndy squad that paced the GLVC in on-base percentage and runs scored, while defensively, he handles a pitching staff that leads the conference in strikeouts and opponents’ batting average.

As all-region first teamers, Sondgeroth and Kittinger will now be placed on the national ballot for All-America consideration. The All-America teams are scheduled to be released on Friday, May 22.

UIndy’s second-team pitching tandem of Cory White and Cory Rupert sports a combined 17-3 record heading into the NCAA Tournament.  White, who has team highs in complete games (4) and shutouts (2), has racked up 71 Ks in just 62.2 innings and sits second in the league with nine wins.  Rupert tops the UIndy starters with a 2.84 ERA and ranks fifth in the GLVC in innings per game despite starting a high number of seven-inning contests.  The pair of arms has helped the UIndy staff set a program record with 473 total strikeouts on the year.

UIndy begins play at the NCAA DII Midwest Regional Thursday at noon with a first round match-up with Grand Valley State.  Click here for info on how to follow the action.