La Crosse, Wis. - The Viterbo University Baseball team had five players earn Midwest Collegiate Conference honors announced earlier this week.

Eric Gruhlke (Sr. - Kasson, Minn.), Nick Lenzendorf (Jr. - Eastman, Wis.), John Pogatchnik (Jr. - St. Cloud, Minn.), and Eli Tupuola (Jr. - San Diego, Calif.) were all named MCC Honorable Mention All-Conference recipients

Lenzendorf and Shane Michiels (Green Bay, Wis.) were named MCC Gold Glove recipients.

Gruhlke started in all 48 games this season for the V-Hawks playing all over the infield including seven appearances on the mound. He finished the season hitting .333 and driving in 40 runs. He also recorded a team high 12 doubles and finished with 4 homeruns and 32 runs scored. In his final game as a V-Hawk, Gruhlke played all nine positions demonstrating his athleticism and ability.

Like Gruhlke, Lenzendorf made his impact on the V-Hawks in numerous ways. Lenzenodrf was one of the top pitchers for the V-Hawks going 3-2 on the year and making 12 appearances. Defensively, Lenzendorf also played a stellar first base where he earned his first MCC gold glove. At the plate, he finished second on the team in hitting (.353) and third on the team in RBI's (32).

Pogatchnik was one of the V-Hawks top offensive weapons for the V-Hawks. He finished third on the team hitting .346 and led the team in runs scored (39). He played in 47 of the 48 games for the V-Hawks, starting 44 of them at second base. He committed just seven errors all season and finished with a .967 fielding percentage.

In just his first season with the V-Hawks, Tupuola made his impact right away on the offensive side. Tupuola led the V-Hawks in hitting (.369), hits (62), and doubles (12). More remarkable is that Tupuola finished the season with just four strikeouts in 168 at bats. Offensively, Tupuola ranked among the top 10 in the MCC in batting average, hits, and strikeouts.

Michiels saw action in 42 games this season and was one of the top defensive players for the V-Hawks. Patrolling mainly center field for the V-Hawks, Michiels finished the season with no errors and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.