|
Posted by
-
Wed, May 2, 2007
- [
Softball
] - Viewed 2325 times
Grand Rapids, Mich. -- Aquinas College sophomore slugger Ashley Aspinall and Indiana Tech hurler Jessica Williams were named WHAC player and pitcher of the year respectively as the 2007 All-Conference teams were released today.
Aspinall, who was at or near the top of nearly ever league offensive category earned Player of the Year honors in a vote of league coaches. The Freeport, Michigan native was second among league hitters in average (.451), home runs (11), runs batted in (40), total bases (105) and slugging percentage (.789) while leading the conference in on-base percentage (.525) and base hits (60).
Williams saw time as a pitcher and position player, making her impact felt in both spots equally. The freshman from Seattle, Washington was the league leader in opponent's batting average (.233) a while posting a 13-5 record witn one save in 21 appearances in the circle. Williams notched 103 strikeouts, good for second among WHAC pitchers, with a 7.65 strikeout-per-game average that paced the conference. Williams also was one of the leagues top hitters, leading the league in five offensive categories.
Aquinas head coach Ronda Varnesdeel was named WHAC Coach of the Year after piloting her team to a 28-15 overall mark and 16-4 league record while winning her third-straight regular season WHAC conference title.
Joining Aspinall and Williams on the all-conference first team were 16 playes selected by conference coaches.
League champion Aquinas tied with Cornerstone University for the most players of any single team with five. Joining Aspinall from Aquinas were teammates Amanda Heuvelman, Karissa Saterlee, McCall Kleinfelt and Courtney Miles.
Cornerstone, who came on strong down the stretch to earn the #4 seed in this week's conference tournament, saw Stephanie Polomcak, Emily Brown, Jessica Dood, Abby Benthem and Lisa VanDerVeen earn first team honors. Golden Eagle head coach Jim Farrell was also honored as co-Champions of Character Coach with Siena Heights head coach Laura Klutsarits. League runner-up Madonna placed four on the team including Hannah Godfrey, Heather Richardson, Shannon Noder and Caitlyn Sidor.
Indiana Tech and Siena Heights each placed a pair of players on the first team. In addition to Williams, the Warriors saw outfielder Dana Shaddox make the list while Siena Heights placed Julie Thomas and Koral Herzog to the 18-member squad.
In addition to the all-conference first-team, a 12-player honorable mention squad and 22-player academic all-conference squad was announced.
The WHAC also honored one player from each team that best exemplified the NAIA Champions of Character initiative in 2007. Jodi Deterlee (Aquinas); Ali Nowacki (Concordia); Jessica Dood (Cornerstone); Mallory Harris (Indiana Tech); Christina Finch (Madonna) and Mariah White (Siena Heights) were all named to the Champions of Characer team.
All of the 2007 award winners will be recognized following the 2007 WHAC Softball Championship game Thursday in Grand Rapids. The two-day, four-team tournament kicks off this morning on the campus of regular season champion Aquinas College.
|
