FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, May 11, 2009

CONTACT: Ted Breidenthal 816/285-1419 tbreidenthal@d3independents.org www.d3independents.org

 Association of Division III Independents
Names 2009 All-Independent Softball Teams

 

KANSAS CITY, MO.--- University of Dallas shortstop Belle Swaja and Nebraska Wesleyan University pitcher Alysia Wittmaack are the headliners for the 2009 All-Independent Softball teams named today by the Association of Division III Independents.

 

Swaja, a senior from Hillsboro, OR, re-wrote the Dallas record book with her exceptional play this season.  The team captain excelled at shortstop and was the team’s No. 2 pitcher.  Swaja hit .415 with three home runs and 39 runs batted in.  She broke Dallas single-season records  for hits (51) and runs batted in, and she also threw a no-hitter.  Her career records include hits, doubles, RBIs and runs scored as a hitter, and strikeouts and wins as a pitcher.

 

Wittmaack, a sophomore from Lincoln, NE, was named the pitcher of the year after she went 13-8 with a 1.85 earned-run average and four shutouts.  Wittmaack’s 192 strikeouts shattered the Nebraska Wesleyan season strikeout record (by 68), and she already sits atop the NWU career strikeout chart after only two years.  This year, she also had three saves, 15 complete games and only 15 walks in 144 innings of work.

 

Dallas freshman outfielder Jessica Mollner was named the AD3I’s rookie of the year after a sensational season.  The St. Paul, MN, native hit .423 with 52 runs scored.  She led the AD3I in hits (52), runs scored, triples (8), stolen bases (27), total bases (83), and ranked fourth in RBI (26) and batting average.

 

St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) head coach Frank Carbone, who led the Lady Bears to a 26-8 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 – Alysia Wittmaack, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

Pitcher – Alyson Chiaramonte, Freshman, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Staten Island, NY)

Pitcher – Tiffany Coppens, Freshman, Finlandia University (Placentia, CA)

Pitcher – Lisa Scheer, Freshman, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Queens, NY)

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

Second base – Kathleen Higgins, Freshman, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Cole Harbour, NS)

Third base – Desiree Smith, Freshman, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Thomaston, ME)

Shortstop – Belle Swaja, Senior, University of Dallas (Hillsboro, OR)

Catcher – Michelle Pitts, Freshman, Chapman University (Pleasanton, CA)

Outfield – Jessica Mollner, Freshman, University of Dallas (St. Paul, MN)

Outfield – Erica Davis, Junior, University of Maine-Presque Isle (North Yarmouth, ME)
Outfield – (tie) Amber Adams, Junior, University of Dallas (Dallas, TX); and

                     Marcia Kennedy, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Omaha, NE)

Utility – Danielle Humphrey, Sophomore, University of Maine-Presque Isle (New Gloucester, ME)
Utility – Jenna Turner, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Norfolk, NE)

Second Team

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

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

Pitcher – Emily Moore, Freshman, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Lisbon, ME)

Pitcher – Meghan Showell, Senior, College of New Rochelle (Cincinnati, OH)

Pitcher – Nicole Russell, Junior, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Newcastle, ME)

First base – Dani Brown, Junior, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)

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

Third base – Mari Ramirez, Senior, University of Dallas (Helotes, TX)

Shortstop – Brittany Humphrey, Sophomore, University of Maine-Presque Isle (New Gloucester, ME)

Catcher – Amy Bellinger, Senior, Finlandia University (Coleman, MI)

Outfield – Sammy Lawless, Freshman, University of Dallas (Houston, TX)

Outfield – Jojo Wakabayashi, Freshman, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)
Outfield – (tie) Dani Bryant, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE);

                     Erin Dudzinski, Senior, Chapman University (Ben Lomond, CA) and

                     Theresa Mendez, Senior, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Queens, NY)

Utility – Lizzie Griffin, Senior, University of Dallas (Anahuac, TX)

Utility – (tie) Caitlyn Kakavas, Freshman, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Queens, NY);

                   Amanda Mesa, Junior, La Sierra University (Riverside, CA); and
                   Shannon Miller, Freshman, Finlandia University (Banks, OR)

 

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 17 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 2008-09. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition, it will announce 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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