Sports Information
Molly Brown, Director
(515) 263-6040 ph (515) 263-2882 fax
mabrown@gvc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2006
SUBJECT: Women’s softball all-conference honors announced
Des Moines, Iowa – The Midwest Classic Conference announces its 2006 softball all-conference honors. Eighteen athletes were recognized as part of the all-conference teams as voted by the coaches.
Iowa Wesleyan College junior third basemen Kate Ward (Baylis, Ill.) was voted as the MCC Player of the Year. Ward is a transfer from John Woods Community College. She is currently batting .438 with an .837 slugging percentage. Ward led the league this season in batting percentage, run scored (51), RBI (57), home runs (15), total bases (128), and was second in hits (67).
“Kate came into Iowa Wesleyan with great credentials as a softball player from her John Woods career but has had an unbelievable year in adjusting to this level of play. This year, she set Iowa Wesleyan softball records in home runs (15), walks (29), RBI’s (57) thus far. She is a great addition to the softball tradition here at Iowa Wesleyan. She comes to play the game day everyday and loves to compete. What a great young lady,” said Iowa Wesleyan head coach Mike Hampton.
Waldorf College junior pitcher Marisa Jensen (Forest City, Ia.) was voted the MCC Pitcher of the Year. Jensen is 17-3 this season and tops the MCC with a 0.64 ERA. She has struck out a league-leading 220 batters in 142.2 innings pitched.
“Marisa has had another outstanding season. She continues to get the most out of her abilities and is definitely a key ingredient to our program's success,” said Waldorf head coach Denny Gilbertson.
Grand View head coach Lou A. Yacinich was selected by his peers as the MCC Coach of the Year. In his fourth year at the helm of the Vikings, Yacinich led his team to a 16-6 MCC record for second place.
“Being selected by his peers indicates his accomplishments in developing an outstanding program at Grand View. It is a tribute to the young ladies who executed throughout the year,” said Grand View athletic director Lou Yacinich.
MCC Player of the Year: Kate Ward – Iowa Wesleyan
MCC Player of the Year: Marisa Jensen - Waldorf
MCC Coach of the Year: Lou A. Yacinich – Grand View
Outfield:
Allison Cruchelow – Mount Mercy
Mandi Foss – Waldorf
Jenny Oberhart – Viterbo
Ashley Westphal – Grand View
Infield:
Tracee Kroese – Waldorf
Amber Pence – Iowa Wesleyan
Jen Pintz – Viterbo
Danyl Spivey – Mount Mercy
Kate Ward – Iowa Wesleyan
Destiny Willer – Grand View
Catcher:
Missy Hybarger – Ashford
Lora Vaske – William Penn
Pitcher:
Denise Harris – Iowa Wesleyan
Marisa Jensen – Waldorf
Meghan Oden - William Penn
Utility:
Alicia Hynek – Viterbo
Megan Marlier – St. Ambrose
At Large:
Emily Cueno – St. Ambrose