---Ryan Schmidt held a 6-2 record over the 2008 season, earning All-North Central Region first team honors.

By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Three Northern Kentucky University baseball players were named to the Daktronics All-North Central Region teams on Wednesday. The teams are selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

Ryan Schmidt was a first team selection, while David Middendorf and Kevin Dusold were voted to the second team.

Schmidt, a sophomore from Decatur, Ind., leads the Norse with a 6-2 record on the season, and has struck out an average of 7.4 batters every nine innings. Schmidt pitched back-to-back shutouts this season, throwing a two-hitter against Drury on March 16 before traveling to Missouri S&T to pitch a four-hit gem on March 22. The transfer from Ball State tied an NKU record by throwing 28 consecutive scoreless innings this season.

In the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament against Southern Indiana, Schmidt picked up seven strikeouts and surrendered just one run in 4 1/3 innings of work, but did not factor into the decision, a 9-4 NKU victory.

Middendorf, a freshman from La Salle High School in Cincinnati, leads the Norse with a 2.36 earned run average and 64 strikeouts on the season. Middendorf also has a pair of shutouts to his credit, earning GLVC Pitcher of the Week honors each time. Middendorf tossed a nine-inning one-hitter against Indianapolis on April 13 before pitching a four-hit blanking of Wisconsin-Parkside on April 26.

Middendorf was the unfortunate losing pitcher of NKU’s opening-round, 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bellarmine. However, the hard-throwing southpaw came back to pick up the save in NKU’s 4-3 win over Bellarmine later in the tournament.

Dusold, an Oak Hills graduate, is currently on a 22-game hitting streak, and has reached base safely in each of his last 32 games dating back to March 30 against Kentucky Wesleyan. He leads the Norse with a .356 batting average, a .565 slugging percentage, 68 hits, seven home runs, four triples, 54 RBIs and five sacrifice flies. He has remained a steady presence in left field, and has even lent a hand at second base this season.

Northern Kentucky (37-22) is the 2008 GLVC Champion, and claims the title for the fourth time in seven seasons. The Norse have earned an automatic qualifier to the NCAA North Central Regional tournament, and will open play Thursday morning against GLIAC Champion Grand Valley State. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. EDT and can be heard live on nkunorse.com.

Daktronics All-North Central Region Teams

FIRST TEAM
 
NAME SCHOOL YEAR POSITION HOMETOWN
Seth Paul Indianapolis Senior Catcher Muncie, Ind.
Ben Minard Ashland Sophomore First Base Delaware, Ohio
Patrick Brady Bellarmine Sophomore Second Base Lexington, Ky.
Matt Reimer Saint Joseph's Senior Shortstop Downers Grove, Ill.
Chris Saroff Indianapolis Freshman Third Base Crown Point, Ind.
Adam Kaminski Wayne State Junior Utility Clinton Twp., Mich.
Mike Staehle Saint Joseph's Senior Designated Hitter Dyer, Ind.
Derek Hinke Grand Valley State Senior Outfield Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Matt Wille Saint Joseph's Senior Outfield Crystal Lake, Ill.
Reed Welker Saginaw Valley State Senior Outfield Toledo, Ohio
Blaine Cravens Saint Joseph's Senior Starting Pitcher Buffalo, Ill.
Jeremy Kehrt Southern Indiana Senior Starting Pitcher Plainfield, Ind.
Anthony Bass Wayne State Junior Starting Pitcher Trenton, Mich.
Ryan Schmidt Northern Kentucky Sophomore Starting Pitcher Decatur, Ind.
Clay Tingley Saint Joseph's Junior Relief Pitcher Edon, Ohio
   
SECOND TEAM
 
NAME SCHOOL YEAR POSITION HOMETOWN
Max Bell Saginaw Valley State Senior Catcher Goodrich, Mich.
Brian Sampsel Findlay Junior First Base Coshocton, Ohio
Josh Huebner Southern Indiana Junior Second Base Evansville, Ind.
Chris Haycox Ashland Senior Shortstop Springfield, Ill.
Jacob Petkac Ashland Sophomore Third Base Middleburg Heights, Ohio
Casey Robrahn Grand Valley State Junior Utility Jenison, Mich.
David Quiroga Ashland Senior Outfield Toledo, Ohio
George Rohan Findlay Senior Outfield North Lima, Ohio
Kevin Dusold Northern Kentucky Junior Outfield Cincinnati, Ohio
Dave Middendorf Northern Kentucky Freshman Starting Pitcher Cincinnati, Ohio
Caleb Meyer Findlay Senior Starting Pitcher Toledo, Ohio
Andre Benjamin Grand Valley State Junior Starting Pitcher Grand Ledge, Mich.
Chase Sonen Saint Joseph's Junior Starting Pitcher Cary, Ill.
Shaun Larsen Southern Indiana Junior Relief Pitcher Tell City, Ind.