GRAND FORKS, N.D. — A pair of Fighting Sioux teammates were named to the Great West Conference All-Tournament team announced following the championship game on Saturday at Kraft Field. Lefthander David Spies (Grand Forks, N.D) and shortstop Ryan Gerber (Tucson, Ariz.) joined 12 other players on the team.

“David and Ryan both had outstanding tournaments for us and those were just a couple of great individual performances that helped us to a third-place finish,” UND head coach Jeff Dodson said. “It is fitting that one of our senior captains went out this way and a young guy that is one of our cornerstones was also honored. We finished the year on a strong note and hopefully that can carry over as we continue to build this program.”

 

Spies pitched the Sioux to an upset victory over No. 2 seed Northern Colorado in the opening round, allowing only one earned run on six hits in a season-high 7.2 innings of work. He picked up his team-leading third win of the season in the 5-1 victory.

Gerber hit safely in all four tournament games, going 9-for-19 at the plate (.474) and ended the season with a seven-game hitting streak. He had two hits in the victory over Northern Colorado, including a two-run single.

In the 8-2 victory over Houston Baptist, Gerber had the first four-hit game of his career and drove in two more runs as the Sioux advanced to the winner's bracket final. His nine hits in the tournament were tied for the second most.

UVU centerfielder Chris Benson was named the Most Outstanding Player after going 3-for-3 in the title game that the top-seeded Wolverines won 5-1 over No. 3 seed Houston Baptist.

Chris Benson, Utah Valley (Most Valuable Player)

Billy Burgess, Utah Valley

Blake Krahenbuhl, Utah Valley

Josh Swenson, Utah Valley

Kolby Arnst, Houston Baptist

Collin Hetzler, Houston Baptist

Stephen Nikonchik, Houston Baptist

Beau Warren, Houston Baptist

Ryan Gerber, North Dakota

David Spies, North Dakota

Marcus Perez, NYIT

Effrey Valdez, NYIT

Casey Coy, Northern Colorado

Tripp Davis, NJIT