Tuesday, May 27, 2008

            Valparaiso University had three players named to the Horizon League’s All-Tournament Team following the completion of the championships this past weekend.  Brett Bivens (Battle Creek, Mich./Lakeview H.S.), Dan DeBruin (Combined Locks, Wis./Kimberly H.S.), and Josh Wallace (Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine H.S.) all were recognized for their play in the five games in which Valpo participated.

            Bivens led Valpo hitting .522 for the tournament.  The shortstop had 12 hits, including a double, collecting at least two hits in each contest.  Against Wright State the sophomore went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and three runs batted in.  He scored four times on the week and finished with five driven home.

            DeBruin extended his hitting streak to 16 straight games to close his career, hitting .500 with 10 hits in 20 at bats.  He posted a .600 on base percentage and had three-hit games against Wright State and Milwaukee.  The Crusader outfielder scored a team-high eight times.

            Wallace hit .364 with seven runs batted in on the week.  He had at least one RBI in each of the first four games, including a homer against Youngstown State.  The third baseman tied for third on the squad with eight hits, including at least one in each contest.

            As a team, Valparaiso advanced to the loser’s bracket championship game before falling to Milwaukee.  The Crusaders concluded the tournament with a third place finish.