Jacks earn independent awards, Christiansen honored
(Brookings) Three South Dakota State University baseball players were selected to the all-Independent First Team and head coach Reggie Christiansen was named Coach of the Year by a vote by Division I independent coaches and sports information directors released Monday.

First-team honorees were first baseman Tyson Fisher, starting pitcher Matt Bowman and relief pitcher Isaac Johnson.

A junior from Fortuna, Calif., Fisher was a repeat first-team selection at first base after leading the team in hitting at a .387 clip. He also hit four home runs, drove in 34 runs and scored 49 times.

Bowman, a senior from Madera, Calif., set a Jackrabbit single-season record in 2007 with 104 2/3 inning pitched. The right-hander compiled an 8-3 record with a 3.53 earned run average in 15 starts. He also recorded five complete games, while striking out 66 and walking only 15.

Johnson, a sophomore from Verndale, Minn., was used exclusively out of the bullpen early in the season before making three starts late in the year. In 20 appearances, Johnson tallied a 5-0 record with three saves, to go along with a 3.53 ERA in 43 1/3 innings. He struck out 29 batters.

In his third season at SDSU, Christiansen led the Jackrabbits to a 34-19 record, including a 21-6 mark against fellow Division I independents, as SDSU claimed the title at the season-ending D-I Independent Tournament title. SDSU's 34 victories tied for the third most in school history, and marked the Jackrabbits' first 30-win season since 1996.

Other Jackrabbit honorees included second-team selection Nick Adams and honorable mention picks Korby Mintken and Jacob Kougl.

Adams, a junior from Lenexa, Kan., completed his third season as the team's starting right fielder with a team-high 51 runs batted in. He hit .345 with eight home runs, while also tallying 10 stolen bases and seven outfield assists.

Mintken, a junior from Blair, Neb., split time between second base and left field to earn a spot on the honorable mention squad as a utility player. He hit .298 with three home runs and 32 RBI, while leading the Jackrabbits with 17 stolen bases in 20 attempts.

Kougl led the independent ranks with nine saves, tying the Jackrabbit single-season record. The senior right-hander from Lompoc, Calif., ended the season with an 0-2 record and 3.38 ERA in 19 appearances.

South Dakota State will begin play in The Summit League during the 2008 season.
*Courtesy: SDSU Sports Information