FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 29, 2007

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

 Association of Division III Independents
Names 2007 All-Independent Softball Teams

 

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Carol Jeanne Kavanagh of St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) and Maggie Wilder from Chapman University headline an impressive group of student-athletes on the 2007 All-Independent Softball teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents. 

 

Kavanagh, a senior shortstop from Queens, NY, was named the player of the year after she hit .482 with three home runs and 47 runs batted in.  The Lady Bears co-captain led the association in runs batted in, doubles (17) and total bases (85) and was second in home runs, hits (53) and stolen bases (15).  Kavanagh, one of the toughest outs in all of Division III, struck out only four times in 118 plate appearances and had an on-base percentage of .571.    

 

Wilder, a senior from Bakersfield, CA, was named the pitcher of the year after she went 15-4 with a 1.32 earned-run average and six shutouts.  Wilder was named a second team All-American (two-time honoree).  She struck out 10 or more batters in five of her starts.  Her top performance was a 14-inning shutout in a 1-0 victory over Trinity.      

 

Nebraska Wesleyan University freshman pitcher Ashley Wagner was named the rookie of the year.  The Minden, Iowa, native went 15-2 with a 1.10 earned-run average and eight shutouts.  Wagner, who broke the single-season team record for earned-run average and strikeouts (105), gave up only 10 extra-base hits in 114.1 innings.

 

Christine Grenache, who led Newbury College to an 11-10 record, and Chapman head coach Janet Lloyd, who led the Panthers to a 29-13 record, were named co-coaches of the year. 

 

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

 

First Team

Pitcher – Maggie Wilder, Senior, Chapman University (Bakersfield, CA)

Pitcher – Ashley Wagner, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Minden, IA)

Pitcher – Gabrielle Burrola, Sophomore, Saint Joseph’s College (Maine) (Gallup, NM)

Pitcher – Jill Slater, Senior, Clarke College (Colesburg, IA)

First base – Vicki Ortmeier, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Blair, NE)

Second base – Melanie Villarroel, Freshman, Chapman University (Rosemead, CA)

Third base – Michelle Owens, Junior, College of St. Elizabeth (Rockaway, NJ)

Shortstop – Carol Jeanne Kavanagh, Senior, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Queens, NY)

Catcher – Jessie Laliberty, Senior, Newbury College (Haverhill, MA)

Outfield – Kelsey Worley, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

Outfield – Erin Dudzinski, Sophomore, Chapman University (Ben Lomand, CA)

Outfield – Stephanie Chu, Junior, California State University, East Bay (Pleasant Hill, CA)

Designated hitter – Katrina Lajiness, Sophomore, College of St. Elizabeth (Monroe Township, NJ)

Utility – Sara Stas, Junior, California State University, East Bay (Pittsburg, CA)

 

Second Team

Pitcher – Julianne Basmagy, Freshman, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)

Pitcher – Jennifer Winford, Junior, Chapman University (Hawaiian Gardens, CA)

Pitcher – Sirina Milsap, Sophomore, Colorado College (Denver, CO)

Pitcher – Leah Buls, Freshman, Clarke College (Independence, IA)

First base –Lindsay Cross, Freshman, Salem College (Asheboro, NC)

Second base – Kristina Saenz, Freshman, La Sierra University (Riverside, CA)

Third base – Brittany Holden, Sophomore, Green Mountain College (Schenectady, NY)

Shortstop – (tie)  Ashley Meneely, Junior, La Sierra University (Brea, CA); and

                         Catherine Hall, Junior, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)

Catcher – Kristin Izzo, Senior, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)

Outfield – Amber Adams, Freshman, University of Dallas (Lancaster, TX)

Outfield – Dani Carter, Sophomore, Clarke College (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Outfield – Sara Krolikowski, Freshman, Mitchell College (Bristol, CT)

Designated hitter – Katey Bertsch, Junior, Clarke College (Dubuque, IA)

Utility – Amanda Campbell, Junior, Chapman University (Newport Beach, CA)

Third Team

 

Pitcher – Lacie Erickson, Sophomore, La Sierra University (Moreno Valley, CA)

Pitcher – Rachel Hoelker, Freshman, University of Dallas (Sugar Land, TX)

Pitcher – Adrienne Miller, Freshman, Newbury College (Prospect, CT)

Pitcher – Christina Westerhoff, Junior, La Sierra University (San Bernardino, CA)

First base – Megan Farrell, Junior, Saint Joseph’s College (Maine) (Abington, MA)

Second base – Jessica “Belle” Swaja, Sophomore, University of Dallas (Hillsboro, OR)

Third base – Chelsea Bettcher, Sophomore, Clarke College (Dubuque, IA)

Shortstop – (tie)  Klancy Nixon, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Norfolk, NE); and

                          Liz Roy, Sophomore, Mitchell College (Griswold, CT)

Catcher – Cassie Baker, Senior, Clarke College (Maquoketa, IA)

Outfield – Erica Davis, Sophomore, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Cumberland, ME)

Outfield – Aly Ludwig, Sophomore, Saint Joseph’s College (Maine) (Waldoboro, ME)

Outfield – Susanne Thomsen, Sophomore, Menlo College (Fresno, CA)

Utility – Pamela Marchese, Sophomore, Menlo College (Pacific Grove, CA)

 

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 25 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 2006-07.  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.

 

 

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