LEWISTON, Idaho - Before the 2004-05 athletic year began at Lee University, not a single Flame player had been named a first-team NAIA All-American. When baseball selected B.J. Church to its first-team squad, the pitcher became Lee's fourth athlete to earn the cherished honor over the past nine months.

Church joins Rachel Tuck (women's soccer), Manuel Cornejo (men's tennis) and Josh Coley (men's golf) as Lee's first-team All-Americans.

"It has been a great year for Lee athletics," said Lee Athletic Director Larry Carpenter. "Our athletic programs and these athletes have helped put Lee University in the national spotlight. We sent six teams to NAIA National Tournaments this year."

The Flames also had several players named to second and third All-Americans teams, including Lee catcher Jimmy Stanfield, who was listed on baseball's second squad. Pitcher Jon Kirby was selected as a honorable mention.

Church was selected as the Southern States Athletic Conference and NAIA Region XIII Player of the Year. The junior righthander pitched in 17 games in leading Lee to an overall record of 55-16 and to the university's first trip to the NAIA College World Series.

The former Soddy-Daisy High School and Middle Tennessee State University hurler finished with a 13-2 record. He pitched over 100 innings and had an impressive earned run average of 1.33. Church registered 117 strikeouts and walked just 41 batters.