Association of Division III Independents
Names 2008 All-Independent Softball Teams

 

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- Chapman University All-Americans Erin Dudzinski and Jennifer Winford, who led the Panthers to a sixth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance this spring, headline the 2008 All-Independent Softball teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents. 

Dudzinski, a junior outfielder from Ben Lomond, CA, led Chapman in nine offensive categories and was named the team MVP.  She hit a team-high .409 with five home runs, 12 doubles, 27 RBI and 16 stolen bases.  She played error-free in centerfield (32 chances) and was named NFCA All-West Region first team for the second year in a row.      

Winford, a senior from Hawaiian Gardens, CA, was named the pitcher of the year after she went 15-6 with a 1.35 earned-run average and eight shutouts.  Winford set career highs in wins, shutouts and complete games (17).  She led the AD3I in ERA, wins and opponents batting average (.206).  Winford, who was the AD3I pitcher of the year in 2006, also was named to the NFCA All-West Region team for the third time.        

Green Mountain College freshman catcher Amanda Malkin was named the rookie of the year.  The Highland Lakes, NJ, native hit .404 with 50 RBI, eight home runs and 13 doubles.  She slugged .835 and had an on-base percentage of .444. 

Chapman head coach Janet Lloyd, who led the Panthers to a 27-11 record, was named the coach 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 – Jennifer Winford, Senior, Chapman University (Hawaiian Gardens, CA)

Pitcher – Ashley Tiedgen, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

Pitcher – Katie Finley, Sophomore, Chapman University (San Juan Capistrano, CA)

First base – Jamie Bellinger, Junior, Finlandia University (Coleman, MI)

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

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

Shortstop – Kait Petros, Senior, Green Mountain College (Tewksbury, MA)

Catcher – Mollie Seim, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Grand Island, NE)

Outfield – Erin Dudzinski, Junior, Chapman University (Ben Lomond, CA)

Outfield – Erica Davis, Junior, University of Maine-Presque Isle (North Yarmouth, ME)
Outfield – Jodi Ruitta, Sophomore, Finlandia University (Houghton, MI)

Designated hitter – Amanda Campbell, Senior, Chapman University (Newport Beach, CA)

Utility – Catherine Hall, Senior, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)

Second Team

Pitcher – Michaela Coghlan, Freshman, University of Dallas (Dallas, TX)

Pitcher – Jesse Peterson, Junior, California State University, East Bay (San Diego, CA)

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

First base – Kelsey Worley, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

Second base – Amy Bellinger, Junior, Finlandia University (Coleman, MI)

Third base – Nancy Laughlin, Freshman, Green Mountain College (Pittsford, VT)

Shortstop – Klancy Nixon, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Norfolk, NE)

Catcher – (tie)    Sara Krolikowski, Sophomore, Mitchell College (Bristol, CT); and

                         Amanda Malkin, Freshman, Green Mountain College (Highland Lakes, NJ)

Outfield – Lindsey Donelin, Junior, Mitchell College (Niantic, CT)

Outfield – Vanessa Goncalves, Sophomore, Chapman University (Artesia, CA)

Outfield – (tie)    Theresa Mendez, Junior, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Queens, NY); and

                         Samantha Donlon, Sophomore, College of St. Elizabeth (Woodbridge, NJ)

Designated hitter – Marcia Kennedy, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Omaha, NE)

Utility – (tie)    Mariann Mangiapane, Freshman, Southern Vermont College (Barnet, VT); and

                      Katrina Lajiness, Junior, College of St. Elizabeth (Monroe Township, NJ)

 

Third Team

Pitcher – Brittany Holden, Junior, Green Mountain Collage (Schenectady, NY)

Pitcher – Meaghan Volkkommer, Freshman, College of St. Elizabeth (Ridgewood, NJ)

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

First base – Rachel Hoelker, Sophomore, University of Dallas (Sugar Land, TX)

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

Third base – (tie)   Stephanie Roberts, Junior, California State University, East Bay (Santee, CA); and

                           Nicole Schumacher, Freshman, Finlandia University (Brighton, MI)

Shortstop – Liz Roy, Junior, Mitchell College (Griswold, CT)

Catcher – Justine Watson, Sophomore, California State University, East Bay (Pittsburg, CA)

Outfield – Megan Beckstead, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Bellevue, NE)

Outfield – Brenda Peterson, Senior, Finlandia University (Calumet, MI)

Designated hitter – Lauren Dalton, Junior, College of St. Elizabeth (Rockaway, NJ)

Utility – Brittany Humphrey, Freshman, University of Maine-Presque Isle (New Gloucester, ME)

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 21 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 2007-08.  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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