LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Biola University shortstop Hawkins Gebbers has been named one of 17 players on the 2009 NAIA Baseball Preseason All-America Team as announced by the NAIA this week.

Gebbers, a senior from Brewster, Washington, earned second-team All-America honors last year after finishing the season with a GSAC-best .426 batting average. He also led the team with 81 hits, 13 home runs, 59 RBIs, 54 runs, 20 doubles, a .747 slugging percentage and 142 total bases. Gebbers struck out just 16 times in 190 at bats and played near-flawless defense, posting a .965 fielding percentage.

Gebbers also put together an impressive 22-game hitting-streak, falling just two shy of the school record. Over that stretch he batted .481 (37-for-77) with six home runs and 28 RBIs. After a hitless day at California Baptist ended the streak, Gebbers got back on track by collecting 10 hits in his next 14 at bats including four home runs and a double in a two-game series against Westmont.

Gebbers, who was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American his freshman season, was also one of three Biola players to earn NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors this season, earning a 3.8 GPA in business administration.

Biola wrapped up the 2008 season with a 35-18 record, reaching the NAIA Region II tournament for the sixth-straight year, the second-longest active streak of any team in the region. The Eagles were tabbed as the No. 4 team in the 2009 NAIA Preseason Poll released on Nov. 11 and return seven defensive starters and all but two pitchers from the 2008 squad.

For a complete list of the 2009 NAIA Preseason All-Americans, visit http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/110708aaa.html.