INDIANAPOLIS- University of Indianapolis senior
Ben Sondgeroth (Rock Falls, Ill./Rock Falls) was one of a select few to garner All-American status from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) this year. The Greyhound infielder was named to the Rawlings/ABCA 2009 NCAA Division II All-American Third Team after leading UIndy to a 43-21 record and an NCAA appearance.
Sondgeroth, who started at least 11 games at four different positions (C, 1B, 3B, DH) in 2009, finished his career as UIndy’s single-season and career leader in RBI. The 6-5 clean-up hitter accomplished both on a single swing by mashing a three-run, game-winning homerun in the ninth inning to down 11th-ranked Grand Valley State in the opening game of the NCAA Midwest Regional May 14.
The Rock Falls, Ill. native topped the Great Lakes Valley Conference in homers, runs driven in and slugging percentage, with his homerun total of 17 being the third-highest season output in program history.
UIndy finished with 43 wins in 2009 to surpass its second-highest win total ever. After earning its first NCAA berth since 2003, the Greyhounds went 3-2 in the double-elimination Midwest Regional, advancing all the way to the finals before losing to the same GVSU team it defeated in the first round.
Click here to view a PDF of the complete list of ABCA D-II All-Americans.