La Crosse, Wis. - Nick Lenzendorf (Jr. - Eastman, Wis.) and Josh Underkofler (Jr. - Helena, Mont.) of the Viterbo University baseball team were recently recognized by the NAIA with top honors. Lenzendorf became the first player in school history to be named to the Rawlings-NAIA Baseball Gold Glove Team while Underkofler was named a NAIA Scholar Athlete.

"Nick made all of our infielders better with his ability defensively," commented Head Coach Chad Miller. "He is a big target to throw to and has great hands. If the ball was hit or thrown in his vicinity, we had the utmost confidence Nick would make the play. It is a great honor for him to receive an NAIA National Gold Glove and he is very deserving of the award."

Lenzendorf saw most of his playing time at first base but also made 12 appearances on the mound for the V-Hawks. He finished the season with a team high 311 put outs and committed just one error all season for a team high .997 fielding percentage. Lenzendorf was also a spark for the V-Hawk offense as he finished second on the team in hitting (.353) and third on the team in RBI's 32. Lenzendorf was selected as one of the top nine defensive players in the NAIA by the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association (BCA) All-America Selection Committee.

2009 Rawlings®-NAIA Baseball Gold Glove Team

Underkofler was forced to redshirt this season as he had to have shoulder surgery just prior to the 2009 season. Coach Miller is planning to have Underkofler back in uniform for the V-Hawks next season. To be honored as a NAIA Scholar athlete, recipients are required to be a junior or above in academic standing; in attendance at the nominating institution a minimum of one full year of attendance; has a minimum grade point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of nomination at the nominating institution; has been certified as eligible on the varsity roster; form completed with required signatures.