CEDAR FALLS - Brandon Douglas became the third Northern Iowa baseball player in the past seven years Monday to be named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.

Voted on by the league's head coaches, the junior shortstop joins former UNI greats Ryan Brunner (2001) and Adam Boeve (2003) as recipients of the Joe Carter Award this decade. Brian Jergenson was also selected as the league's top player in 1997.

"Brandon has just had a phenomenal year for us," UNI head coach Rick Heller said. "He's become a more consistent and more mature player."

Douglas, who started all 51 games for UNI this season, batted .402 (second in the Valley) with 10 home runs and 58 RBIs. He also was tied for the league lead in hits (86) and doubles (23).

"With Brandon Douglas in our lineup, we've always got a chance to win," senior first baseman Brett Featherston said.

It was the third consecutive season Douglas was named to the Valley's first team. He was joined by twin brother, Brett Douglas, who was selected at utility after hitting .299.

UNI had four players selected to the second team in Featherston, outfielder Dane Embury, starting pitcher Guido Fonseca and closer Joe Gonzalez.

Featherston batted .323 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs this year, while Embury was second on the team with a .356 average, eight homers and 41 RBIs.

Fonseca compiled an 8-2 record with a 4.66 ERA. He had 93 strikeouts in a team-high 83 innings. Gonzalez tied for the Valley lead with nine saves, and opponents hit just .242 against him.

Outfielder Deric Manrique received honorable mention status.

Missouri State's Tim Clubb (10-0) was tabbed as the conference's top pitcher.

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com

MVC all-conference

FIRST TEAM

Catcher - Mark Kelly, Southern Illinois

First base - Darin Ruf, Creighton

Second base - Ryan Strausborger, Indiana State

Shortstop - Brandon Douglas, UNI

Third base - Conor Gillaspie, Wichita State

Outfielders - Andy Dirks, Wichita State; Ben Woodbury, Missouri State; Dan Brewer, Bradley

Designated hitter - Ben Carlson, Missouri State

Utility - Brett Douglas, UNI

Starting pitchers - Tim Clubb, Missouri State; Rob Musgrave, Wichita State; Anthony Capra, Wichita State

Relief pitchers - Pat Venditte, Creighton; Matt Frevert, Missouri State

SECOND TEAM

Catcher - Kevin Dubler, Illinois State

First base - Brett Featherston, UNI

Second base - Josh Workman, Wichita State

Shortstop - Dusty Coleman, Wichita State

Third base - Brayden Drake, Missouri State

Outfielders - Chris Schmidt, Indiana State; Colby Luttrell, Bradley; Dane Embury, UNI; Robbie Knight, Creighton

Designated hitter - Clint McKeever, Wichita State

Utility - Chris Playter, Missouri State

Starting pitchers - Jeremy Hauer, Creighton; Guido Fonseca, UNI; Mike Nihsen, Creighton

Relief pitchers - Joe Gonzalez, UNI; Eric Theisen, Illinois State

Newcomer of the Year - Jeremy Hauer, Creighton

Freshman of the Year - Kevin Tokarski, Illinois State

Pitcher of the Year - Tim Clubb, Missouri State

Joe Carter Player of the Year - Brandon Douglas, UNI