FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, June 7, 2006

CONTACT: Ted Breidenthal 816/474-7264, ext. 119 tbreidenthal@d3independents.org www.d3independents.org

 Association of Division III Independents
Names 2006 All-Independent Softball Teams

 

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Sara Stas of California State University, East Bay, and Jennifer Winford, a sophomore from Chapman University, head an impressive collection of softball student-athletes on the 2006 All-Independent Softball teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents.

Stas, a sophomore from Pittsburg, CA, was named the player of the year after she hit .444 with 37 runs batted in. Stas lead all of Division III with 20 doubles, and she also led the Pioneers in hits (55) and triples (3). Stas was 26-8 as a pitcher with a 3.62 earned-run average and was rewarded with a place on the All-West Region third team. Her 26 wins were the most in Cal State East Bay history and the second most this year in Division III.

Winford, a sophomore from Hawaaiian Gardens, CA, was named the pitcher of the year after she went 12-5 with a 1.46 earned-run average and six shutouts. Winford was named to the first team All-West Region after she led the school in wins, shutouts and strikeouts (65).

Chapman head coach Janet Lloyd was named coach of the year for the second consecutive year. Lloyd led the Panthers to a 28-10 record and the NCAA tournament for the fourth straight year. Her all-time record is 398-131 after 13 seasons at Chapman.

Mitchell College freshman Liz Roy was named the rookie of the year. A shortstop from Griswold, CT, Roy hit .553 with seven home runs and 50 RBI. She also scored 56 runs and had an on-base percentage of .659.

Softball coaches at member institutions of the Association of Division III Independents selected the players during a conference call.

First Team
Pitcher – Jennifer Winford, Sophomore, Chapman University (Hawaaiian Gardens, CA)
Pitcher – Sara Stas, Sophomore, Cal State East Bay (Pittsburg, CA)
Catcher – Kristen Bartolocci, Senior, Mitchell College (Ledyard, CT)
First base – Angela Gonzales, Senior, Cal State East Bay (Union City, CA)
Second base – (tie) Joannie Derusha, Sophomore, Finlandia University (Gladstone, MI); and Stephanie King, Freshman, Cal State East Bay (San Leandro, CA)
Third base – Kim Sanders, Senior, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)
Shortstop – Liz Roy, Freshman, Mitchell College (Griswold, CT)
Outfield – Sofia Castillo, Senior, University of Dallas (Glendale, AZ)
Outfield – Kristi Albert, Freshman, Saint Joseph’s College (Maine) (Farmingdale,ME)
Outfield – Lindsey Donelin, Mitchell College (Stonington, CT)
Utility – Emmy Grote, Colorado College (Wellesley, MA)
Designated hitter – Amy Bellinger, Finlandia University (Coleman, MI)

Second Team
Pitcher – Gabrielle Burrola, Freshman, Saint Joseph’s College (Maine) (Gallup, NM)
Pitcher – Rochelle Joseph, Freshman, Menlo College (Riverbank, CA)
Catcher – Jana Riutta, Junior, Finlandia University (Stanton Township, MI)
First base – Nikki Sassenus, Junior, University of Dallas (Diamond Bar, CA)
Third base – (tie) Megan Pacchetti, Freshman, Menlo College (Novato, CA); and Erin Starkey, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Grand Island, NE)
Shortstop – Belle Swaja, Freshman, University of Dallas (Hillsboro, OR)
Outfield – Meagan Petros, Sophomore, Finlandia University (Marquette, MI)
Outfield – Kailee Roeser, Senior, Chapman University (River Forest, IL)
Outfield – (tie) Kelsey Worley, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE); and
Mari Ramirez, Freshman, University of Dallas (Boerne, TX)
Utility – Vicki Ortmeier, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Blair, NE)

Honorable Mention
Pitcher – Ashley Tiedgen, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)
Pitcher – Marissa Becerra, Senior, Chapman University (Orange, CA)
Catcher – Valerie Rivera, Junior, Colorado College (Santa Fe, NM)?
First base – Nicole Scommegna, Sophomore, Colorado College (Brookfield, WI)
Second base – Gabrielle Burrola, Freshman, Saint Joseph’s College (Maine) (Gallup,NM)
Third base – Shawna Foster, Senior, Cal State East Bay (Post Falls, ID)
Shortstop – Jill Jeranko, Senior, Chapman University (San Clemente, CA)
Outfield – Samantha Grier, Senior, University of Maine, Presque Isle (Caribou, ME)
Outfield – Erin Dudzinski, Freshman, Chapman University (Ben Lomand, CA)
Outfield – Tori DeSimone, Senior, Cal State East Bay (Pleasanton, CA)

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 19 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in seven sports in 2005-06. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association also provides statistical services for its members in seven sports, and has announced All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.

More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org.