Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Valparaiso University had three players represented on the Horizon League’s All-Academic Team this season, the conference announced on Wednesday.  Steve Godawa (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove H.S.), Jon Gulbransen (Appleton, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran H.S.), and Matt Lenski (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette University H.S.) each earned the honor this season.

Godawa, a sophomore reliever in 2009, went 3-0 with a 3.86 earned run average out of the bullpen for the Crusaders.  He struck out 18 while walking just four in 23.1 innings of work.  He also earned two saves.  In the classroom, Godawa is an accounting major sporting a 3.92 cumulative grade point average.

Gulbransen, a sophomore starting pitcher, went 5-7 for Valpo on the hill in 13 starts.  He pitched 79.1 innings this past season, striking out 57 while posting a 5.33 ERA.  In the classroom, Gulbransen has a 3.74 cumulative GPA while still undecided upon his major.

Lenski, a senior catcher, led the Horizon League with a .406 batting average this past season.  He had five homer, 16 doubles, and a team-leading 43 runs batted in for the Brown and Gold.  He also had a .988 fielding percentage and threw out 14 baserunners attempting to steal.  In the classroom, Lenski tallied a 3.31 GPA as a nursing major.