PRINCETON, W.Va. – Five members of the Shepherd University baseball team were named to the 2012 WVIAC All-Conference team. Senior first baseman Nathan Minnich (Waynesboro, PA/Waynesboro Area Sr.), senior relief pitcher Andrew Gallant (Oak Ridge, NJ/Jefferson Twp.), and sophomore pitcher Paul Hvozdovic (Herndon, VA/Herndon) were first team selections, while senior designated hitter Nash Hutter (Sunland, CA/Verdugo Hills/Glendale CC) and junior second baseman Chad Murphy (North Olmsted, OH/North Olmsted) were second team choices.

Minnich, who was named WVIAC Player and Hitter of the Year, has a .500 batting average with 68 hits in 136 at-bats. He paces the Rams in hits (68), runs batted in (66), runs (63), total bases (141), walks (50), home runs (21), slugging percentage (1.047) on base percentage (.647) , and batting average (.500). Minnich leads NCAA II in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, and home runs per game (0.46). He is ranked in the top six nationally in seven other categories. Minnich has set numerous career and season records this year.

Hvozdovic has posted a 10-3 mark and a save with a 2.86 ERA. He has a team-highs of 74 strikeouts in 91.1 innings. His 10 wins and 15 starts tie the Shepherd single season records.

Gallant has a 4-3 record and a team-best six saves with a 3.95 ERA. He has 53 strikeouts in 54.2 innings.

Hutter has a .325 batting average with 49 hits in 151 at-bats. He has 40 runs batted in and 38 runs scored. He is second on the team with nine homers. Hutter has added nine doubles and a triple.

Murphy is batting .372 with 54 hits in 145 at-bats. He has driven in 36 runs and scored 38. He had a team-best 14 doubles and three round-trippers on the year.

The complete All-Conference team is listed below.

First Team
SP: Aaron Adams (WVWC)
SP: Alex Haines (SHU)
SP: Paul Hvozdovic (SU)
SP: Brad Schnelle (SHU)
RP: Andrew Gallant (SU)
C: Kyle Morrow (UPJ)
1B: Nathan Minnich (SU)
2B: Jake Warner (UPJ)
3B: Brendan Costantino (SHU)
SS: Jon Neuberger (BSC)
OF: Bret Blevins (CU)
OF: Sean Collette (A-B)
OF: Cory Flickinger (WVWC)
OF: Billy Smith (WVSU)
OF: Ethan Szabo (GSC)
DH: Nicholas Sell (SHU)

Second Team
SP: Chase Pickering (WVSU)
SP: Tim Ponn (UC)
SP: Warren Hammel (WVWC)
SP: Shayne Miller (OVU)
SP: Derek Younker (UPJ)
RP: Jon Murphy (SHU)
C: Hayden Mobley (WLU)
1B: Ryan Johnston (CU)
2B: Jerrod Groves (CU)
2B: Chad Murphy (SU)
3B: Gene Franks (WVWC)
SS: Keith Morrisroe (CU)
OF: Pat Ammar (WJU)
OF: Jeff Conley (A-B)
OF: Larry Lowry (BSC)
OF: Drew Westover (UPJ)
DH: Nash Hutter (SU)
DH: Igor Molina (UC)

Honorable Mention
SP: Tyler Kincaid (FSU)
SP: Kyle Olney (A-B)
RP: Nick Mayle (FSU)
RP: Will Zuspan (CU)
3B: Kyle Crist (D&E)
SS: Nick Erminio (SHU)

Hitter of the Year: Nathan Minnich - Shepherd
Pitcher of the Year: Alex Haines - Seton Hill
Player of the Year: Nathan Minnich
Coach of the Year: Marc Marizzaldi - Seton Hill