La Crosse, Wis. – The Viterbo University baseball team had two players honored today by the Midwest Collegiate Conference. Junior Blake Shepherd (Mindoro, Wis.) was named a MCC First Team All-Conference selection while junior Chris Dunn (Hancock, Wis.) was named a MCC Honorable Mention All-Conference pitcher.

This is the second straight season Shepherd received First Team All-Conference honors. Shepherd had another fantastic season for the V-Hawks has he led them in numerous offensive categories. He finished the season hitting .371 with 52 hits, 24 runs scored and 19 runs batted in. He also added a team high 8 doubles, three triples, 5 home runs and 9 stolen bases. An everyday outfielder, Shepherd also made his impact on the mound for the V-Hawks. Shepherd made 12 appearances for the V-Hawks this season finishing 2-5 overall. He pitched 41 innings and struck out 24 batters.

This is the first time that Dunn has been honored by the MCC. Dunn was the V-Hawks ace this season on the mound. He made 14 appearances on the mound including 9 starts and throwing 74 innings. Although he finished just 4-8 on the year, Dunn was the recipient of very little offensive support. He finished the season with a 3.53 ERA and lost five games that his team scored two or fewer runs. Dunn also finished the season with a team high 62 strikeouts which was the sixth most in the MCC.

The baseball season is not done for either Shepherd or Dunn as both have opportunities to play in two of the top collegiate summer baseball leagues in the country. Shepherd has received a temporary offer to play for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod League which is widely known as the best summer college baseball league. Shepherd played in the Northwoods League last season for the Willmar Stingers. Dunn will return to play for the Waterloo Bucks of the Northwoods League. Dunn pitched last season for the Bucks and had a very successful summer. Both the Cape Cod League and the Northwoods League have plenty of alumni who are now playing in the big leagues which both Shepherd and Dunn have aspirations of.