Crusaders Win All-Conference Baseball Awards

May 5, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7260

Five Evangel baseball players have been named to the 2008 All-Heart of America Athletic Conference team. Tyler Henry (Sr., C, Denver, Colo.) is a second team pick. Jason Cruise (Jr., SS, Marshfield, Mo.), Scott Ditzfeld (Sr., P, Sedalia, Mo.), Aaron Lambertson (Jr., OF, Akron, Colo.), and Brandon Scott (So., OF, Hollister, Mo.) are honorable mention selections.

Henry hit at a .328 pace (43-131) during the 2008 campaign. He tallied 28 RBIs, seven doubles and three home runs. Behind the plate, Henry made just four errors in 266 chances for a .985 fielding percentage.

Cruise finished 2008 with a .314 batting average (38-121), four doubles, 19 runs, and 18 RBIs. Ditzfeld led the EU staff with his .296 ERA and 7-4 record. Ditzfeld worked 70 innings, gave up 23 earned runs, struck out 46 batters and allowed just ten walks. Lambertson had a .311 batting average (38-122). He scored 33 runs and drove in 12. Lambertson also belted seven doubles and stole 22 bases. Scott logged a .3l3 average at the plate (46-147). He tallied 30 runs, 28 RBIs, five doubles and three home runs.

Evangel ended the 2008 season with a 26-22 record under second-year head coach Lance Quessenberry. EU’s .542 winning percentage in 2008 is the best at the University since the 2000 team finished 30-19 (.612). The Crusaders were 11-17 in conference games and finished seventh - the highest finish for an Evangel baseball team since 2001 (14-14, 6th).