NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The IU Southeast baseball team responded to an uphill battle in a big way on Saturday in New Albany. The Grenadiers, who suffered an 11-4 setback to Brescia University on Friday night, picked up two wins over the Bearcats to win the 2010 KIAC Championship Series Title.

The Grenadiers defeated Brescia University 10-5 in the first game on Saturday at the Koetter Sports Baseball Complex. The win for IU Southeast forced a third and final game to decide the best of three series champion. In the deciding game, the Grenadiers held a hitting clinic that propelled them to a 17-0 victory over Brescia to claim the conference title.

Bo Daves (Game 1) and Kris Eschman (Game 2) earned the victories on the mound today for the Grenadiers.

This is the first time IU Southeast has won the KIAC Championship Series in its current format. The Grenadiers last won the KIAC Tournament in 2008.

IU Southeast is currently 39-18 overall. The Grenadiers also won the conference regular-season title with an 18-2 record against KIAC opponents this season.

With Saturday's wins, the Grenadiers will represent the KIAC in the 2010 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Round.

The nine National Championship Opening Round tournaments are scheduled for May 18-21. Five teams will play in a double-elimination format at each site. The announcement of all 46 teams (which includes Lewis-Clark State) will be made on May 14. More information about potential tournament sites can be found by clicking here.

All nine Opening Round winners, in addition to the host school Lewis-Clark State, will then advance to the 2010 Avista-NAIA World Series from May 28-June 4 in Lewiston, Idaho. The 54^th annual event is in Idaho for the 11^th straight year.

Before the conference championship series, KIAC officials announced the yearly baseball award winners. IU Southeast had 12 players named to the KIAC All-Conference team. Grenadier senior Kyle Lenn was named KIAC Player of the Year. IU Southeast Zach Maupin was named KIAC Freshman of the Year while second-year Grenadier Head Coach Benjamin Reel was named KIAC Coach of the Year. A full list of award winners can be found at the end of this story.

Make sure you check back to IUSAthletics.com later this week for more information about the NAIA Baseball World Series.

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KIAC Baseball Award Winners:
Coach of the Year: Benjamin Reel, IU Southeast
Player of the Year: Kyle Lenn, IU Southeast
Freshman of the Year: Zach Maupin, IU Southeast

KIAC All-Conference First Team from IU Southeast:
Jordan Pass - Shortstop
Kyle Lenn - Outfielder
Cameron Conner - Outfielder
Jeff Klump - Utility
Baird Hall - Catcher
Adam Lipke - Starting Pitcher

KIAC All-Conference Second Team from IU Southeast:
Derek Mills - Second Base
Zach Maupin - Designated Hitter
Van Fowler - Catcher
Bo Daves - Starting Pitcher
Derek Decker - Starting Pitcher
Brandon Clemmons - Relief Pitcher

KIAC Gold Glove Team (Top nine defensive players in the KIAC by position)
Daniel McDonald - First Base
Derek Mills - Second Base
Jordan Pass - Shortstop
Cameron Conner - Outfield