2007 WIAC Women's Softball Headlines
UW-Eau Claire Earns NFCA Region Staff of the Year Award
RELEASED: Friday, August 17, 2007
Madison, Wis.--For the second consecutive year, the UW-Eau Claire women’s softball coaching staff has been named the Great Lakes Region Coaching Staff of the Year, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has announced.
Blugold head coach Leslie Huntington and assistants Robin Baker, Billie Buss, Nicole Pederson and Rachel Lemon were one of nine staffs honored by the NFCA as Region Coaching Staffs of the Year.
The other region winners were Emory University & Bridgewater College (Atlantic Region), DePauw University (Central Region), Moravian College (East Region), Washington-St. Louis (Midwest Region), Rhode Island College (New England Region), Plattsburg State University (Northeast Region) and Linfield College (West Region), which was also named NFCA Division III National Coaching Staff of the Year after leading its team to a national championship and a 45-7 season record.
Huntington and her assistants directed the Blugolds to a 38-14 during the 2007 campaign. This represents the third-best single season win total in school history, surpassed only by the 40-15 and 40-14 marks of the 1999 and 2000 teams, respectively.
The Blugolds won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship for the second straight season and finished third at the NCAA Division III World Series, which is the highest finish in program history. The World Series appearance was the third in school history, with the other two coming in 1999 and 2000 when they finished fourth overall.
UW-Oshkosh’s Stampfli and UW-Whitewater’s Gahl Receive NFCA All-America Honors
RELEASED: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Ronessa Stampfli and UW-Whitewater’s Amy Gahl have been named to the 2007 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division III All-America Team. Stampfli was named to the first team, while Gahl secured second team recognition.
Stampfli, a junior righthanded pitcher from Brodhead, Wis., is the first NFCA All-America selection in school history. She was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Pitcher of the Year for the third straight season after leading the league with a 0.87 earned run average, 277 strikeouts and a .177 opponent batting average, while ranking second with 193.0 innings pitched and 19 wins.
Stampfli pitched 41.0 scoreless innings from April 17 - May 1 and tossed her second career no-hitter against Mid-America Nazarene (Okla.) on March 19. The 41.0 scoreless innings streak is the second-longest in league history.
Her 22 strikeouts against Coe College (Iowa) in the NCAA Division III tournament on May 10 set a WIAC single-game record. Stampfli owns the conference career record with 757 strikeouts and ranks first on the Titan career chart with 527.1 innings pitched, 93 games, 56 victories, 23 shutouts and six saves.
Gahl, a sophomore outfielder from Beloit, Wis. (Parkview H.S.), is the fifth NFCA All-American in Warhawk history and first since Erin Bravo was a first team choice in 2004. She was named the WIAC Position Player of the Year this season after leading the conference with 68 hits, 16 doubles, 62 runs scored and 109 total bases, while placing second with a .479 batting average, .768 slugging percentage and .513 on-base percentage.
Gahl registered 22 multi-hit games and ended the year with a 19-game hitting streak. Her 62 runs scored established a WIAC single-season record, while her batting average ranked second in the UW-Whitewater record book.
The NFCA also announced an All-Great Lakes Region Team for the 2007 season. Joining Stampfli and Gahl on the first team were: UW-Eau Claire’s Jill Janke and Casey Leisgang and UW-Stevens Point’s Korryn Brooks and Stephanie Anderson.
Second team selections included: UW-La Crosse’s Sarah Pfeifer, UW-Oshkosh’s Amy Sullivan, UW-River Falls’ Emily Howlett and UW-Stevens Point’s Mandy Jellish and Laura Van Abel.
Individuals receiving third team honors were: UW-Eau Claire’s Michelle Butkus and Mallory McKinney, UW-River Falls’ Ashley Bertrand and UW-Whitewater’s Suzanne Gersich and Ashley Smith.
The all-Great Lakes region team consisted of individuals representing the WIAC, College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Midwest Conference, Northern Athletics Conference and a handful on independent institutions.
UW-Eau Claire Women’s Softball Finishes Third
RELEASED: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Salem, Va.--The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s softball team finished third in the NCAA Division III Championship after being eliminated by Linfield College (Ore.), 22-10, at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex here on May 21.
The two teams were battling through the losers’ bracket for a chance at unbeaten Washington University (Mo.) in the championship game of the double elimination tournament. Both teams had been knocked into the losers’ bracket by Washington University - the Blugolds in a 1-0, eight-inning decision and Linfield in a 6-3 verdict.
The third place is the highest finish ever by a Blugold softball team in the national tournament. The Blugolds had placed fourth in their two previous World Series appearances in 1999 and 2000. The Blugolds’ final record of 38-14 also represents the third-best single season win total in school history, surpassed only by the 40-15 and 40-14 marks of the 1999 and 2000 teams, respectively.
The Blugolds had made a living on coming from behind to win contests this year, particularly in the post-season, but their luck ran out against Linfield, as the game ended after five innings on the eight-run rule. The Blugolds had come from a 5-0 deficit to defeat Plattsburgh State of New York, 6-5, Sunday night to reach the contest against Linfield.
The Blugolds took a 1-0 lead against Linfield in the first but the McMinnville, Oregon team exploded for eight runs in the second with the help of seven hits and four Blugold errors. The Blugolds cut the deficit to 8-5 with four runs in their half of the second, but Linfield countered with seven more in the top of the third for a 15-5 lead. UW-Eau Claire battled back with four more in the fourth to make it a 15-9 contest, but a grand slam by Jena Loop capped another seven-run inning in the fifth.
The game will enter the NCAA tournament single game record book on numerous counts - most runs scored by a team with 22 (record was 18 by the College of New Jersey on 5/12/95), most runs by two teams with 32 (record was 21, most recently on 5/14/06), most hits by a team with 22 (record was 19, most recently by Alma in a 15-inning game by 5/15/04), most hits by two teams with 34 (record was 32 by Chapman and Alma on 5/15/04) and most total bases by two teams with 50 (record was 41 by St. Thomas and Concordia on 5/11/06).
The run total was the most ever allowed by a Blugold softball team and the most scored by Linfield this season. The Wildcats had won an NCAA regional tournament game by a 17-1 margin. The previous high by a Blugold opponent was 19 by UW-Platteville on April 10, 1985.
A season-high six errors by the Blugolds allowed Linfield to score eight unearned runs. Three Blugolds pitchers also walked three and hit a batter. Linfield, which came into the game with a .384 team batting average, had four batters with three or more hits including Meredith Brunette who was five for five with four runs batted in.
Casey Leisgang, Mandy Tschernach and Mallory McKinney all had three hits for UW-Eau Claire with McKinney driving in five runs. Jill Janke had two hits in her only two official at bats including the Blugolds’ only home run in the World Series, a two-run blast in the fourth inning.
Blugolds Win Pair to Remain Alive in NCAA Women’s Softball
RELEASED: Monday, May 21, 2007
Salem, Va.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire remained one of three teams in the hunt for an NCAA Division III women’s softball national championship after winning two elimination contests on the third day of the eight-team national tournament at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex on May 20.
The Blugolds beat Emory University (Ga.), 3-1, then overcame a 5-0 deficit to beat Plattsburgh State of New York, 6-5.
The win sends the Blugolds into the losers’ bracket final at noon (EDT) on May 21 against Linfield College (Ore.).
The Blugolds need to beat top-seeded Linfield to have another shot at second-seeded and unbeaten Washington University which sent the Blugolds into the losers’ bracket with a 1-0, eight-inning setback Saturday.
The Blugolds, who are the No. 3 seed in the double elimination tournament, are assured of their best finish ever in the Division III World Series. They had finished fourth in both 1999 and 2000 in their only other two World Series appearances.
Mandy Tschernach was the hero of the Blugold win over Emory as she went three for three, driving in single runs in both the first and third innings to stake the Blugolds to a 2-0 lead. After Emory scored one in the fourth, the Blugolds added an insurance run on a Casey Leisgang double in the sixth inning.
The Blugolds had Emory in trouble throughout their showdown with eight hits and five walks that resulted in 11 runners left on base. Mallory McKinney went the distance on the mound for the Blugolds, firing a four-hitter with two walks and 10 strikeouts. Her teammates had an uncharacteristic three errors but Emory could not convert on any of those miscues.
Bekki Kidnie’s one-out opposite field hit to right plated Rachel Paulus with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh against Plattsburgh, capping a comeback that started in the fourth inning. The win was the second of the season for the Blugolds over Plattsburgh which finished 37-14 overall. The Blugolds beat Plattsburgh State, 6-0, in the NFCA Lead-Off Classic back in March. The Cardinals had stayed alive in the NCAA Championships with a 2-1, eight-inning win over DePauw University in the first tournament game Sunday.
Plattsburgh State jumped on Blugold starter Bri Sturm for two runs in the top of the first including a lead-off home run by Amy Woo. The Cardinals tacked on three in the top of the fourth as they chased Sturm who was replaced by McKinney.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Blugolds scored three times thanks to three hit batters by Cardinal starter Stephanie Zweig. Cardinal ace Jennifer Leitzke came but but the Blugolds got to her for eight hits over the final two and two-thirds innings to finish with 13 for the game.
McKinney helped her own cause with a two-out, two-run single to right in the bottom of the sixth.
In the seventh, Jill Janke opened with a single followed by Paulus’ bunt single. After Janke was forced at third on a sacrifice attempt, the freshman Kidnie delivered her game-winning hit to the right field fence.
Tschernach contributed three hits again for the Blugolds while Stephanie Salter, batting in the No. 9 position, also had three hits and drove in one run.
McKinney picked up the win with three and one-third innings of relief. She allowed five hits with three walks and five strikeouts to push her season record to 20-9. She broke the school career victory mark with her two wins on the day as she now has 76 to better the mark of 74 set by Heidi Bergstrom.
The Blugolds will take a 38-13 record into the game against Linfield, which is now 42-7. Washington University (35-5) awaits the winner in a 2:30 p.m. (EDT) championship game. If a second championship game is needed, it will be played Tuesday.
UW-La Crosse’s Miller and UW-Stevens Point’s Anderson Named to Academic All-District Women’s Softball Team
RELEASED: Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Jenny Miller and UW-Stevens Point’s Stephanie Anderson have been named to the 2007 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five College Division Women’s Softball Second Team.
The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA student-athletes from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Miller, a senior from Durand, Wis., earned academic all-district honors for the second straight year after receiving third team recognition in 2006. She is majoring in fitness/pre-physical therapy with a minor in Spanish and boasts a 3.87 grade point average. Miller was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete this year and is a two-time all-WIAC first team choice.
Anderson, a senior from Milwaukee, Wis. (King H.S.), carries a 3.30 grade point average and is majoring in elementary education/social sciences. She is a two-time all-WIAC first team selection and fired the third perfect game in school history against UW-Stout on April 21 and tossed a no-hitter against Bridgewater State University (Mass.) on March 18.
Walk-Off Home Run Does In Blugolds
RELEASED: Sunday, May 20, 2007
Salem, Va.--Washington University (Mo.) third baseman Jamie Kressel led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a walk-off home run as the UW-Eau Claire women's softball team lost its first game at the NCAA Division III Championship, 1-0, at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex on May 20.
The game turned into a pitching dual between Washington’s Laurel Sagartz and UW-Eau Claire’s Mallory McKinney. Sagartz entered the game with a 25-1 record while McKinney, a two-time All-American, sported an overall record of 18-9.
Both teams were unable to drive in runs early as UW-Eau Claire stranded base runners in the second, third and fourth innings. The Bears also stranded base runners in each of the first four innings including two base runners in the third inning.
After both teams went down in order in the fifth inning the Bears threatened when Laura D’Andrea hit a two-out single to centerfield with a runner on. Both runners advanced into scoring position on an error by Stephanie Salter. McKinney was able to get Amy Vukovich to pop out to Salter ending the Bears’ scoring threat.
The Blugolds started the top of the seventh inning with a single by Michelle Butkus. Tessa Pecha pinch ran for Butkus and advanced to second base on a single by Jill Janke. UW-Eau Claire loaded the bases as Shannon Barone reached base on an error by the third baseman on a sacrifice bunt. Pecha and Janke both advanced to second and third base on the play. With the bases loaded and one out Bekki Kidnie hit the ball back to the pitcher who quickly threw the ball to the catcher for the force out at home plate and then threw the ball to first base to complete the double play and end the inning.
The Bears stranded a runner in scoring position in the seventh inning to push the game into extra innings. UW-Eau Claire went three up and three down in the top of the eighth inning setting up Kressel’s home run to lead off the Bears’ half of the inning to win the game.
UW-Eau Claire scattered three hits and stranded five runners on base while the Bears totaled six hits and left eight runners on base. The Blugolds committed two errors while the Bears were charged with three errors. Janke collected two of UW-Eau Claire’s three hits while five different batters recorded hits for the Bears.
Sagartz pitched the distance striking out 11 Blugolds without a walk. McKinney struck out nine Bear batters to go along with three walks.
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Blugolds Win Opening NCAA Women’s Softball Championship Game
RELEASED: Saturday, May 19, 2007
Salem, Va.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s women’s softball team defeated Rhode Island College, 9-1, in five innings to advance to the second round of the NCAA Division III championship tournament at the James I. Moyer Complex on May 18.
The Blugolds rapped out 11 hits and took advantage of seven Rhode Island errors to hand the Anchorwomen their worst setback of the season.
Rhode Island, ranked No. 12 in the most recent NFCA Division III national poll, had won 14 of its last 15 games coming into the national tournament. UW-Eau Claire, ranked No. 21 in the NFCA poll, also has been hot lately, winning 12 of its last 13 outings including four against No. 8-ranked UW-Oshkosh.
Blugold pitcher Mallory McKinney allowed Rhode Island its only run in the top of the second as Mandy Shurgot hit her third home run of the season. The Anchorwomen managed just one other hit against McKinney who tied Heidi Bergstrom’s school career win record with her 74th. McKinney, who is 18-8 for the season, walked one and struck out four.
The Blugolds, who are now 36-12 for the season, broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the third on four hits and three Rhode Island errors as they sent 11 batters to the plate.
McKinney actually ended the game with a bases-loaded hit in the bottom of the fifth. Although she hit the ball to the fence, she was only credited with a single as the Blugolds won on the 8-run rule. It was the third hit of the game for McKinney. Leadoff hitter Casey Leisgang also had three hits for the Blugolds while designated player Shannon Barone had a pair of hits as did Mandy Tschernach. Barone plated three runs with her two hits. Leisgang and McKinney had the only extra base hits by the Blugolds, both doubles.
Anchorwomen pitcher Nicole Riley, who yesterday was named to the NFCA All-American second team, had a 29-3 season record and an 0.84 ERA coming into the UW-Eau Claire contest. She was charged with eight hits and four earned runs in the four innings she worked. She walked two and struck out two. Reliever Jamie Sacco did not retire any of the five batters she faced in the fifth before the Blugolds ended the game.
The Blugolds will play again at 6:30 p.m. (EDT) on May 19 against the winner of an in-progress game between second-seeded Washington University of St. Louis (32-5) and seventh-seeded Plattsburgh State of New York (35-12). The Blugolds beat Plattsburgh, 6-0, early in the season.
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UW-Eau Claire Earns Trip to NCAA Women’s Softball Finals
RELEASED: Monday, May 14, 2007
Eau Claire, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire hit three home runs on its way to defeating top-seeded UW-Oshkosh 7-3 at Gelein Field on May 13 to advance to the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament Championships in Salem, Va. on May 18-22.
This will be the Blugolds’ third appearance in the NCAA Tournament Championships as they appeared there in 1999 and 2000. The 2000 season was also the last time a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) school appeared at Nationals. In both 1999 and 2000, UW-Eau Claire placed fourth nationally. UW-Stevens Point won the NCAA Division III championship in 1998.
In previous games at the Eau Claire regional, the Blugolds beat Augustana College (Ill.), 6-3, Illinois Wesleyan University, 3-0, and UW-Oshkosh 6-3 in eight innings. The Titans defeated Coe College (Iowa) 1-0 in 14 innings and 4-1.
UW-Eau Claire exploded right away in the top of the first with a leadoff single by Casey Leisgang and then Rachel Paulus hit base hit to right that was misplayed by the right fielder, which allowed Leisgang to score all the way from first and Paulus to go to third. After a pop-up, Michelle Butkus followed with a two-run home run to left to give the Blugolds a 3-0 lead.
The Titans answered in the bottom half of the first inning with a two-run home run by Whitney Tyriver over the left field fence that was just out of the reach of the leftfielder to trim the deficit to 3-2. It was Tyriver’s third home run of the season. In the top of the second, UW-Oshkosh left fielder Amie Heinzelman made an outstanding play robbing Casey Leisgang of a potential home run.
UW-Oshkosh tied the contest in the bottom of third after Heinzelman doubled to leadoff the inning and then Whitney Tornow drove her in with a single to center to make the score 3-3. But that is all the Titans got in the inning as they would strand runners at second and third.
Eau Claire retook the lead in the top of the fourth. After the Titans got two quick outs in the inning Bekki Kidnie singled to center and Stephanie Salter reached on an error to keep the inning alive. Casey Leisgang hit a three-run home run down the left field line to make the score 6-3. The home run extended her school record with her 27th career round tripper.
Mallory McKinney added insurance for UW-Eau Claire in the top of the seventh with a leadoff solo home
run to left field to give the Blugolds a 7-3 advantage. It was McKinney’s 21st career blast, which tied her for second all-time in school history with Jill Schoenike. McKinney then retired the Titans in order to seal the victory.
McKinney (17-8) went seven innings and had five strikeouts. She is now one win away from tying the school record for career wins as she has 73. Casey Leisgang was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored for the Blugolds.
UW-Oshkosh finished the season with a school-record 36 victories (36-11). Also ending was the stellar season of UW-Oshkosh's Ronessa Stampfli, who had 51 strikeouts in the Eau Claire Regional and walked just three batters in 34 innings pitched. The three-time WIAC Pitcher of the Year hurled 41 consecutive scoreless innings at one point this season, which is the second longest streak in WIAC history. Stampfli's 757 career strikeouts is a WIAC record and represents the 12th-highest total in NCAA Division III history.
UW-Stevens Point Eliminated From NCAA Women’s Softball Tournament
RELEASED: Saturday, May 12, 2007
Decorah, Iowa--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point was eliminated from the 2007 NCAA Division III Women’s Softball Tournament with a 5-3 nine-inning loss to Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) in regional competition on May 11.
UW-Stevens Point defeated Wartburg College (Iowa), 8-2, in its opening game at the regional before falling to the University of St. Thomas (Minn.), 6-2, in its second contest.
The Pointers, who were granted an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, ended the season with a 33-10 overall record, matching the third-highest victory total in school history and the fewest losses in a season of at least 20 games.
The Pointers trailed 3-1 entering the final inning, but scored two runs and even appeared to have the game won. Jackie Berger drew a one-out walk and Laura Van Abel laid down a bunt single to put runners on first and second. Korryn Brooks hit a grounder for a potential double play, but the second baseman missed a tag on Van Abel and threw wild to first, scoring Berger and putting runners at first and third. Stephanie Anderson grounded out to tie the game and put the potential winning run at second base.
Allison Dorn then hit a grounder to shortstop deep in the hole near third base. The shortstop fielded the ball and threw wild to first base, allowing pinch runner Katherine Mess to score from second with the apparent winning run. However, the umpire ruled Mess out for interference with the shortstop, sending the game to extra innings.
In the ninth, the Gusties had runners at second and third with two outs when Allison Haase hit a pop up to shallow left center that was dropped an allowed both runs to score.
Stephanie Anderson pitched a complete game for the Pointers and allowed 10 hits with three strikeouts. Joyce DeWitz allowed nine hits and struck out five in a complete game for Gustavus Adolphus.
Melissa Boldt was three-for-four and Van Abel was two-for-four for the Pointers. Van Abel finished the season with a 20-game hitting streak on a first inning single and then set a single-season school record with 65 hits on her seventh inning bunt.
UW-Oshkosh’s Stampfli and UW-Whitewater’s Gahl Top All-WIAC Women’s Softball Squad; UW-Oshkosh’s Suess Named Coach of the Year
RELEASED: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Ronessa Stampfli was named the Pitcher of the Year for the third straight season and UW-Whitewater’s Amy Gahl was chosen the Position Player of the Year to headline the 21 individuals selected to the 2007 All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Softball Team by the league coaches. Titan head coach Cindy Suess was recognized as the Coach of the Year.
Stampfli, a junior righthanded pitcher, leads the conference with a 0.66 earned run average, 226 strikeouts and a .170 opponent batting average, while ranking second with 17 wins and 159.0 innings pitched and eighth with 25 appearances. She has started 21 of the Titans’ 43 contests and registered 10 or more strikeouts in 15 games. Stampfli pitched 41.0 scoreless innings from April 17 - May 1 and tossed her second career no-hitter against Mid-America Nazarene (Okla.) on March 19. The 41.0 scoreless innings streak is the second-longest in league history.
Her 16 strikeouts against UW-Stevens Point on April 17 and St. Norbert College on April 24 established a career-high. Stampfli owns the WIAC career record with 706 strikeouts and a 0.85 earned run average. She also ranks first on the Titan career chart with 493.1 innings pitched, 89 games, 54 victories, 22 shutouts and six saves.
Gahl, a sophomore leftfielder, leads the league with 68 hits, 62 runs scored, 16 doubles and 109 total bases, while placing second with a .479 batting average, .768 slugging percentage and .513 on-base percentage, third with 142 at-bats and sixth with seven home runs. Her 62 runs scored established a WIAC single-season record.
She hit safely in 33 of the Warhawks’ 39 games and had a 19-game hitting streak to close the season. Gahl compiled 22 multi-hit performances, including three four-hit games and scored multiple runs in 20 contests.
Repeat selections on the first team include: UW-Eau Claire’s Jill Janke and Casey Leisgang, UW-La Crosse’s Jenny Miller, UW-Oshkosh’s Whitney Tyriver, UW-Platteville’s Tera Burr, UW-River Falls’ Emily Howlett, UW-Stevens Point’s Stephanie Anderson, Mandy Jellish and Laura Van Abel, UW-Superior’s Erin Kegley and UW-Whitewater’s Suzanne Gersich.
Janke, a junior first baseman, and Leisgang, a junior shortstop/second baseman, both received first team laurels for the third straight year. Janke leads the team with a .370 batting average and .437 on-base percentage, while placing second with 47 hits and seven doubles.
Leisgang was voted the league’s Co-Position Player of the Year last season and currently ranks third in the conference with 159 plate appearances, fifth with 17 walks, seventh with nine doubles, eighth with 35 runs scored and 135 at-bats and 10th with 31 runs batted in and 75 total bases.
Tyriver, a junior shortstop, shared the Position Player of the Year award with Leisgang last season and earned first team status in 2005. This year, she ranks second in the league with 163 plate appearances and 143 at-bats, while leading the Titans with a .322 batting average and 46 hits.
Miller, a senior centerfielder, claimed first team honors for the second straight year after securing honorable mention status in 2004. She ranks sixth in the association with 10 doubles, seventh with a .403 batting average and .454 on-base percentage, eighth with 52 hits and 10th with seven stolen bases. Miller holds the UW-La Crosse career record with 46 stolen bases and is third with 478 at-bats and 167 hits.
Burr, a sophomore second baseman, leads the conference with a .495 batting average, .847 slugging percentage, .541 on-base percentage and four triples, while placing third with nine home runs, fourth with 40 runs scored, fifth with 55 hits and 94 total bases. Her .495 batting average is the second-highest mark in WIAC history and 40 runs scored set a Pioneer record. She secured first team recognition a year ago.
Howlett, a junior third baseman, captured first team accolades for the second straight season after ranking second in the league with 66 hits, 15 doubles and 103 total bases, third with a .478 batting average, .746 slugging percentage and .490 on-base percentage, fifth with 38 runs scored and seventh with 33 runs batted in and 138 at-bats.
Anderson, a senior lefthanded pitcher and first baseman, was a first team choice in 2005 after receiving honorable mention recognition in 2004. She leads the conference with 163.2 innings pitched and 19 wins, while placing third with 154 strikeouts, fourth with a 1.54 earned run average, fifth with a .231 opponent batting average and 27 appearances. Her 154 strikeouts set a school single-season mark, while her 351 career strikeouts are second on the Pointer all-time list. She fired the third perfect game in school history against UW-Stout on April 21 and tossed a no-hitter against Bridgewater State University (Mass.) on March 18.
At the plate, Anderson is eighth in the WIAC with 32 runs batted in and 15 walks and ninth with 32 runs scored and .443 on-base percentage.
Jellish, a senior outfielder, was a first team selection a year ago and in 2004. She is second in the association with 15 stolen bases, third with 159 plate appearances, fourth with 141 at-bats, sixth with 37 runs scored and 54 hits and ninth with a .383 batting average. Jellish is second on the school career chart with 40 stolen bases and fourth with 194 hits.
Van Abel, a junior shortstop, secured first team recognition for the second consecutive year and leads the league with four triples, while ranking third with 60 hits, 42 runs scored and 40 runs batted in, fourth with a .432 batting average and 97 total bases, fifth with 155 plate appearances, sixth with 139 at-bats, .698 slugging percentage and seven home runs, seventh with nine stolen bases and eighth with a .453 on-base percentage. She currently has a 17-game hitting streak and hit for the cycle against Augsburg College (Minn.) on March 9, finishing the game with a WIAC single-game record six hits.
Kegley, a senior second baseman, is the first player in school history to earn first team status four consecutive seasons. She is fourth in the WIAC with 11 doubles and ninth with 132 at-bats.
Gersich, a sophomore rightfielder, earned first team recognition for the second consecutive season. She places third in the WIAC with 40 runs batted in, fifth with eight home runs, ninth with a .634 slugging percentage and 10th with 49 hits and 131 at-bats.
Additional first team selections consisted of: UW-Eau Claire’s Bri Sturm, UW-La Crosse’s Sarah Pfeifer, UW-Oshkosh’s Amy Sullivan, UW-River Falls’ Ashley Bertrand and Mindy Rudiger, UW-Stevens Point’s Korryn Brooks, UW-Stout’s Beth Lloyd and UW-Superior’s Becky Crane.
Named to the honorable mention team were: UW-Eau Claire’s Michelle Butkus, Mallory McKinney and Rachel Paulus, UW-Oshkosh’s Lyndsey Allen and Jenelle Schmidt, UW-Platteville’s Maggie Digman, UW-River Falls’ Breamber Syverson, UW-Stevens Point’s Jackie Berger, UW-Stout’s Amanda McKellips and Nelly Peterson, UW-Superior’s Jen Parchem and UW-Whitewater’s Kyley Shramek and Ashley Smith.
UW-Oshkosh head coach Cindy Suess was voted the Coach of the Year after directing the Titans to their first league championship since 1985 and a school record 34 victories. Suess is in her third season at UW-Oshkosh and owns a 85-41-1 record (.673 winning percentage).
2007 All-WIAC Women’s Softball Team
First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Stephanie Anderson, Stevens Point, Senior, Lefthanded Pitcher/Firstbase, Milwaukee (King)
Ashley Bertrand, River Falls, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, St. Paul, Minn. (Como Park)
Korryn Brooks, Stevens Point, Junior, Catcher, Stevens Point (SPASH)
Tera Burr, Platteville, Sophomore, Secondbase, Shawano
Becky Crane, Superior, Sophomore, Leftfield/Shortstop, Altoona
Amy Gahl, Whitewater, Sophomore, Leftfield, Beloit (Parkview)
Suzanne Gersich, Whitewater, Sophomore, Rightfield, Wadsworth, Ill. (Warren Township)
Emily Howlett, River Falls, Junior, Thirdbase, Eagan, Minn.
Jill Janke, Eau Claire, Junior, Firstbase, Black River Falls
Mandy Jellish, Stevens Point, Senior, Outfield, Kaukauna
Erin Kegley, Superior, Senior, Secondbase, Inver Grove Heights, Minn.
Casey Leisgang, Eau Claire, Junior, Shortstop/Secondbase, Seymour
Beth Lloyd, Stout, Junior, Catcher, Fond du Lac
Jenny Miller, La Crosse, Senior, Centerfield, Durand
Sarah Pfeifer, La Crosse, Junior, Secondbase, Watertown
Mindy Rudiger, River Falls, Sophomore, Shortstop, Menomonie
Ronessa Stampfli, Oshkosh, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Brodhead
Bri Sturm, Eau Claire, Sophomore, Righthanded Pitcher, Zumbrota, Minn. (Zumbrota-Mazeppa)
Amy Sullivan, Oshkosh, Junior, Righthanded Pitcher, Oshkosh (West)
Whitney Tyriver, Oshkosh, Junior, Shortstop, Oshkosh (West)
Laura Van Abel, Stevens Point, Junior, Shortstop, Kaukauna
Honorable Mention
Lyndsey Allen, Oshkosh, Senior, Secondbase, Amherst
Jackie Berger, Stevens Point, Senior, Rightfield, Bonduel
Michelle Butkus, Eau Claire, Junior, Thirdbase/Utility, Medford
Maggie Digman, Platteville, Senior, Centerfield, Dickeyville (Cuba City)
Amanda McKellips, Stout, Sophomore, Centerfield, Mosinee
Mallory McKinney, Eau Claire, Senior, Righthanded Pitcher/Designated Player, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Champlin Park)
Jen Parchem, Superior, Freshman, Thirdbase, Baraboo
Rachel Paulus, Eau Claire, Senior, Rightfield, Wisconsin Rapids (Lincoln)
Nelly Peterson, Stout, Sophomore, Utility, Cumberland
Jennelle Schmidt, Oshkosh, Sophomore, Thirdbase, Richfield (Hartford)
Kyley Shramek, Whitewater, Senior, Catcher, Taylor (Blair-Taylor)
Ashley Smith, Whitewater, Sophomore, Secondbase, Elgin, Ill. (St. Edward Catholic)
Breamber Syverson, River Falls, Senior, Secondbase, Prescott
Position Player of the Year: Amy Gahl of Whitewater
Pitcher of the Year: Ronessa Stampfli of Oshkosh
Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Jenny Miller of La Crosse
Coach of the Year: Cindy Suess of Oshkosh
UW-La Crosse’s Miller Named Women’s Softball Scholar-Athlete
RELEASED: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Jenny Miller has been named the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women’s Softball Scholar-Athlete.
Miller, a senior from Durand, Wis., is majoring in fitness/pre-physical therapy with a minor in Spanish and strength and conditioning and boasts a 3.87 grade point average. She was named to the 2006 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Five Women’s Softball Third Team and earned All-America Scholar-Athlete honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) the last four years. Miller is a four-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been named to UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List numerous semesters.
A team captain the last two years, Miller has earned All-WIAC first team honors the last two seasons after claiming honorable mention status during the 2004 campaign. She holds the school career record with 46 stolen bases and established a single-season mark with 17 stolen bases in 2004.
She is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society, National Strength and Conditioning Association, Fitness and Sport Management Club and Student Physical Therapy Club. Miller has also served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Special Olympics and American Cancer Society.
Miller is the fifth Eagle to secure the conference’s women’s softball scholar-athlete award, joining Heather Fellner (1988), Kari Lundberg (1992), Marci Braund (1997) and Jenny Nelson (1992).
Also nominated for this year’s award were: UW-Eau Claire’s Shannon Barone (Sr., DePere, Wis.), Amber Haack (Sr., Madison/LaFollette) and Stephanie Salter (Sr., Schofield, Wis./D.C. Everest), UW-River Falls’ Margo Taylor (Sr., Forest Lake, Minn.), UW-Stevens Point’s Stephanie Anderson (Sr., Milwaukee, Wis./King) and Jacqueline Berger (Sr., Bonduel, Wis.) and UW-Superior’s Katie Moench (Sr., Carlton, Minn.).
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Judy Kruckman and sponsored by Hewlett-Packard. Kruckman served as Assistant Commissioner for the WIAC from 1996-98. Prior to this appointment, she functioned as Commissioner of the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from October, 1984 - September, 1996.
In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.
Three Teams Earn NCAA Women’s Softball Bids
RELEASED: Monday, May 7, 2007
Madison, Wis.--For the third time in history, three teams from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will participate in the NCAA Division III Women’s Softball Tournament. UW-Eau Claire, UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point received bids into the 59-team tournament field.
UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater all reached the NCAA tournament in 1998 and 1999.
This year, UW-Eau Claire earned one of 36 automatic bids into the NCAA event by winning the WIAC Tournament for the second straight season. UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point received two of the 17 at-large spots in the national field.
UW-Eau Claire (31-12) will host a seven-team regional involving UW-Oshkosh (34-9), Coe College (Iowa) (27-12), University of Chicago (Ill.) (25-9), Augustana College (Ill.) (30-12), St. Norbert College (20-12) and Illinois Wesleyan University (31-12). The event will be held May 10-13 at Gelein Field in Carson Park.
UW-Stevens Point (32-8) will travel to Decorah, Iowa for a seven-team regional on May 10-13. Also participating will be University of St. Thomas (Minn.) (41-2), Wartburg College (Iowa) (27-6), Luther College (Iowa) (34-5), Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) (31-8), Webster University (Mo.) (24-16) and Washington University (Mo.) (28-5).
The Blugolds are making the sixth NCAA tournament appearance in program history, while the Titans advance to postseason competition for the fifth time and the Pointers a seventh trip.
UW-Stevens Point won the NCAA Division III national championship in 1998.
NCAA Division III Women’s Softball Regional Tournament
at Eau Claire, Wis.
Thursday, May 10
Game 1--Coe (Iowa) (27-12) vs. Chicago (Ill.) (25-9), Noon
Game 2--Augustana (Ill.) (30-12) vs. UW-Eau Claire (31-12), 2 p.m.
Game 3--St. Norbert (20-12) vs. Illinois Wesleyan (31-12), 4 p.m.
Game 4--UW-Oshkosh (34-9) vs. Game 1 winner, 6 p.m.
Friday, May 11
Game 5--Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser, Noon
Game 6--Game 2 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m.
Game 7--Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 8--Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 12
Game 9--Game 4 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 11 a.m.
Game 10--Game 8 winner vs. Game 7 loser, 1 p.m.
Game 11--Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 loser, 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 13
Game 12--Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 loser, Noon
Game 13--If necessary (needed if Game 9 winner loses Game 12), 2 p.m.
NCAA Division III Women’s Softball Regional Tournament
at Decorah, Iowa
Thursday, May 10
Game 1--UW-Stevens Point (32-8) vs. Wartburg (Iowa) (27-6), 10 a.m.
Game 2—Luther (Iowa) (34-5) vs. Gustavus Adolphus (Minn.) (34-8), Noon
Game 3—Webster (Mo.) (24-16) vs. Washington (Mo.) (28-5), 2 p.m.
Game 4--St. Thomas (Minn.) (41-2) vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m.
Friday, May 11
Game 5--Game 1 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 10 a.m.
Game 6--Game 2 loser vs. Game 4 loser, Noon
Game 7--Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 8--Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 12
Game 9--Game 4 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 10--Game 8 winner vs. Game 7 loser, Noon
Game 11--Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 loser, 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 13
Game 12--Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 loser, Noon
Game 13--If necessary (needed if Game 9 winner loses Game 12), 2 p.m
UW-Eau Claire Claims Second Straight Women’s Softball Tournament Crown
RELEASED: Sunday, May 6, 2007
Eau Claire, Wis.--Rachel Paulus’ home run in the top of the ninth gave UW-Eau Claire its second straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s softball tournament title as the Blugolds defeated regular season champion UW-Oshkosh, 3-2, in the second championship game at Gelein Field in Carson Park on May 5.
The marathon 2 hour, 15-minute contest was dripping with drama as UW-Eau Claire earned the league’s automatic berth in the 59-team NCAA Division III championships, which get underway next week.
The Blugolds were the preseason pick to win their fourth straight WIAC championship this year but struggled to a 10-6 record and a fourth-place finish, while UW-Oshkosh went through the league with a 15-1 mark including 3-0 and 1-0 wins over UW-Eau Claire.
The two teams met three times in this weekend’s tournament with all three games decided by one run. UW-Eau Claire won both games that went nine innings, 4-3 and 3-2, while UW-Oshkosh won the first championship game, 2-1.
Blugold sophomore righthander Bri Sturm was sailing along with a one-hitter until the bottom of the seventh inning. That’s when leadoff hits by Jennelle Schmidt and Brianna Bilotti plus a one-hit single by Ashley Steltenpohl set the stage for Whitney Tyriver’s game-tying two-run single to left.
The Titans loaded the bases again in the eighth with two out but Sturm got Steltenpohl swinging to end the inning after falling behind 3-1 on the count.
After Paulus gave the Blugolds the lead in the ninth, Mallory McKinney came on in the bottom of the inning to pick up the save. After she retired the first two batters in order, the Titans put two runners on base before a flyout ended the game.
UW-Eau Claire had several chances to break the game open as they loaded the bases with no one out and failed to score in the fifth. They also loaded the bases with no one out in the sixth but scored only one run.
The Blugolds put their first run on the board in the third with doubles by Casey Leisgang and Mallory McKinney.
UW-Eau Claire outhit the Titans, 11-7, for the game but left 11 on the bases while UW-Oshkosh stranded nine. Leisgang and Kidnie each rapped three hits to lead the Blugold attack.
UW-Oshkosh has compiled a 34-9 season record, including 21 wins in its last 24 contests. UW-Eau Claire is 31-12 with victories in 11 of its last 14 games.
UW-Oshkosh Wins Women’s Softball Title
RELEASED: Sunday, April 29, 2007
Menomonie, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh won the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s softball title with a 7-3 triumph over UW-Stout in the first game of a doubleheader on April 29.
The conference championship for the Titans is the third in school history and first since 1985. UW-Oshkosh also won the league crown in 1984.
UW-Oshkosh completed the 2007 WIAC slate with a 15-1 record to outdistance UW-Stevens Point’s 13-3 mark. UW-Stout finished 4-12.
The Titans also secured the top seed for the WIAC Tournament, which will be held at UW-Eau Claire’s Gelein Field on May 4-5. The winner of the league tournament receives the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.
In the victory over the Blue Devils, the Titans scored single runs in the first, second and fourth innings before breaking the game open with three runs in the fifth inning.
Lyndsey Allen’s two-run home run to centerfield highlighted UW-Oshkosh’s three-run fifth inning. The Titans recorded three hits and were helped by one Blue Devil error in the frame.
Jennelle Schmidt, Ashley Steltenpohl, Sarah LeMahieu and Dani Olsen each had two hits to lead the Titans’ 12-hit attack.
Ronessa Stampfli pitched 6.1 innings and recorded 14 strikeouts, while scattering three hits to record her 14th win of the season.
Sarah Nelson had two hits for UW-Stout, while Jackie Juan belted a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Kristy Hoffman pitched 4.1 innings and fell to 8-7 on the season.
UW-Stevens Point’s Anderson Pitches Perfect Game
RELEASED: Monday, April 23, 2007
Menomonie, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Stephanie Anderson pitched the third perfect game in school history in the Pointers’ 9-0 six-inning victory at UW-Stout in the first game of a doubleheader on April 21.
Anderson retired all 18 batters faced with eight strikeouts. The two previous perfect games were by Jeanann Briski against Cardinal Stritch in a five-inning game on March 25, 2002 and by Steph Sobieck against UW-La Crosse on April 23, 1990 in a seven-inning contest.
It was Anderson’s second no-hitter this season after also blanking Bridgewater State (Mass.) with one walk earlier in the year. She is the second pitcher in school history to throw two complete game no-hitters in a season, joining Jen Schaper in 1999.
UW-River Falls’ Rathbun Fires Second Career No-Hitter
RELEASED: Monday, April 9, 2007
Rosemount, Minn.--University of Wisconsin-River Falls’ Brittany Rathbun fired her second career no-hitter in the Falcons’ 10-0 five-inning victory over Hamline University (Minn.) on April 6 at the Rosemount Dome.
Rathbun faced 17 batters, two over the minimum, while striking out six batters and walking one. A Hamline batter reached first on an error in the first inning. The walk came to the lead off hitter in the second and she was later retired trying to advance on a fielding play. The second batter in the fifth inning reached base on a throwing error. Rathbun retired the side in order in the third and fourth innings.
She also pitched a no-hitter on March 1, 2006 in a 4-0 win over Carleton College (Minn.) in a game also played at the Rosemount Dome. She faced 22 batters, one over the minimum, in the seven-inning contest.
UW-Eau Claire Tabbed Women’s Softball Preseason Favorite
RELEASED: Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Madison, Wis.--Three-time defending champion University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire is expected to win the 2007 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women’s softball championship, according to a preseason poll conducted by the league’s sports information directors.
UW-Eau Claire claimed eight first-place votes in the preseason projections and enters the season ranked No. 5 in the NCAA Division III preseason poll of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Blugolds have won seven regular-season titles in program history and the 37 wins registered a year ago were the most for the program since back-to-back 40-win seasons in 1998 and 1999.
The 2007 squad returns seven of eight position players and two starting pitchers. Included in the returnees are junior Casey Leisgang, last year’s WIAC Co-Position Player of Year, and senior Mallory McKinney, a two-time WIAC Pitcher of the Year honoree (2004, 2006). A year ago, Leisgang broke the school single-season record with 11 home runs and is just two shy of the Blugold career mark of 21. McKinney set school single-season records with 26 wins, 183 strikeouts and 13 shutouts -and at one point last year - she pitched 65.1 consecutive scoreless innings. She owns the Blugold career record with 408 strikeouts and is within striking distance of the marks for wins, innings pitched and shutouts.
UW-Superior received the remaining first-place vote in the league predictions and is pegged to finish fourth in the nine-team derby. The Yellowjackets have claimed two tournament crowns (2002, 2004) and one regular-season title (2002) in head coach Roger Plachta’s six seasons. Senior Erin Kegley is just the fourth individual in program history to claim All-WIAC first team honors three consecutive years and has earned All-America honors in ice hockey and softball. This year’s squad boasts seven multi-sport athletes.
UW-Oshkosh, which received votes in the NFCA preseason poll, has registered back-to-back second-place finishes in the conference race and is expected to complete the year in that spot for the third straight year. The Titans started the 2006 season with a 5-10 record, but won 22 of their last 29 games to end the year with 27 victories, the second-highest total in school history. Junior Ronessa Stampfli has earned the conference’s Pitcher of the Year award in back-to-back seasons and enters the 2007 campaign needing 25 strikeouts to establish a WIAC career record. She set a league single-season record with 294 strikeouts in 2006. Junior Whitney Tyriver claimed a share of the WIAC Position Player of the Year honor a year ago and is one of 10 returning players to register an at-bat from last season.
UW-Whitewater led the league with 6.0 runs per game and a .382 on-base percentage last season and had six first-year players start at least one game. The Warhawks had nine different individuals belt a home run and return the top two sluggers in sophomore Suzanne Gersich (9) and senior Kyley Shramek (7).
UW-La Crosse was 9-2 in one-run games a year ago and produced the most wins since the 2004 club also had 19 victories. Senior Jenny Miller is the school’s all-time leader with 39 stolen bases, while junior Shelly Monahan returns after missing last season with an injury.
UW-Stevens Point has won 20-plus games in 12 straight seasons and is the only WIAC team to win a NCAA Division III championship, claiming the 1998 crown. Senior Stephanie Anderson returns after missing most of last season with an injury.
UW-River Falls junior Brittany Rathbun led Division III and established a conference single-season record with nine saves in 2006. Falcon head coach Faye Perkins is the winningest coach in WIAC history with 352 victories and enters the season needing just five wins to reach 400 in her 20-year coaching career.
UW-Platteville has five returning players that hit at least two home runs during the 2006 campaign, including sophomore Tera Burr, who was the Pioneers’ first all-region selection since 2003. The Pioneers will play two home doubleheaders under lights for the first time in the 10-year history of the UWP softball complex.
UW-Stout returns its entire outfield from last season, including junior Jackie Juan. The Blue Devils have no seniors on this year’s squad.
Team Vitals
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Leslie Huntington, 6th season, 131-71 record at UW-Eau Claire / 131-71 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 13/6
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 7/1
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 2/1
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 2/0
Returning All-WIAC: Mallory McKinney, Sr., RHP (2004-Pitcher of Year, 2005-First, 2006-Co-Pitcher of Year); Casey Leisgang, Jr., IF (2005-First, 2006-Co-Position Player of the Year); Jill Janke, Jr., Inf. (2005-First, 2006-First); Rachel Paulus, Sr., OF (2006-First); Amber Haack, Sr., OF (2006-HM); Mandy Tschernach, Sr., IF (2006-HM); Shannon Barone, Sr., IF (2005-HM)
UW-La Crosse
Head Coach: Chris Helixon, 7th season (2nd at UWL), 19-21 record at UW-La Crosse / 75-105-1 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 15/8
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 4/5
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 4/0
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 3/0
Returning All-WIAC: Jenny Miller, Sr., Util. (2004-HM, 2006-First); Liz Bradley, Jr., Util. (2006-First); Cassie Huettl, Jr., RHP (2006-First); Michelle Lange, Jr., SS (2005-HM); Alli Romoren, Sr., RHP (2004-First); Shelly Monahan, Jr., RHP (2004-HM)
UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach: Cindy Suess, 3rd season, 51-32-1 record at UW-Oshkosh / 51-32-1 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/1
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 9/0
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 2/0
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 2/0
Returning All-WIAC: Ronessa Stampfli, Jr., RHP (2005-Pitcher of the Year, 2006-Co-Pitcher of the Year); Whitney Tyriver, Jr., IF (2005-First, 2006-Co-Position Player of the Year); Lyndsey Allen, Sr., IF (2005-HM, 2006-First); Dani Olsen, Jr., C (2006-HM); Jennelle Schmidt, So., IF (2006-HM)
UW-Platteville
Head Coach: Heather Townsend, 2nd season, 14-24 record at UW-Platteville / 14-24 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/6
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 8/2
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 1/1
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 0/0
Returning All-WIAC: Tera Burr, So., IF (2006-First)
UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Faye Perkins, 20th season (18th at UWRF), 352-216-2 record at UW-River Falls / 395-338-2 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 13/2
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 8/2
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 3/0
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 1/0
Returning All-WIAC: Emily Howlett, Jr., 3B (2006-First); Brittany Rathbun, Jr., RHP (2005-HM, 2006-HM); Mindy Rudiger, So., SS (2006-HM)
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Ann Munzenmaier, 3rd season, 50-31-1 record at UW-Stevens Point / 50-31-1 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/10
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 4/5
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 3/2
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 0/0
Returning All-WIAC: Mandy Jellish, Sr., CF (2004-First, 2006-First); Laura VanAbel, Jr., SS (2006-First); Stephanie Anderson, Sr., LHP/1B (2004-HM, 2005-First)
UW-Stout
Head Coach: Chris Stainer, 10th season (9th at UWS), 133-180 record at UW-Stout / 151-205 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/4
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 6/2
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 2/1
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 0/0
Returning All-WIAC: Jackie Juan, Jr., OF (2006-First); Amanda McKellips, So., Util. (2006-HM)
UW-Superior
Head Coach: Roger Plachta; 7th season, 135-97 record at UW-Superior / 135-97 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/3
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 7/3
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 3/1
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 1/0
Returning All-WIAC: Erin Kegley, Sr., 2B (2004-First, 2005-First, 2006-First); Katie Moench, Sr., IF (2006-HM); Jamie Lovstad, Sr., C (2005-HM)
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach: Brenda Volk, 9th season, 229-114-4 record at UW-Whitewater / 229-114 overall
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 14/4
Starting Position Players Returning/Lost: 6/4
Pitchers with Starting Experience Returning/Lost: 2/1
Pitchers with Saves Returning/Lost: 1/0
Returning All-WIAC: Kyley Shramek, Sr., C (2005-HM, 2006-HM); Suzanne Gersich, So., OF (2006-First); Dianna Frisbie, So., RHP (2006-HM)
2007 Preseason Poll (Voted on by WIAC Sports Information Directors)
Rank, School, 2006 Record
1. (8) UW-Eau Claire (37-6, 14-0)
2. UW-Oshkosh (27-17, 10-4)
3. UW-Whitewater (25-15, 8-8)
4. (1) UW-Superior (22-16, 7-5)
5. UW-La Crosse (19-21, 7-9)
6. UW-Stevens Point (24-16-1, 5-9)
7. UW-River Falls (22-19-1, 5-9)
8. UW-Platteville (14-24, 7-9)
9. UW-Stout (8-29, 3-13)
( )--First-place votes
UW-Oshkosh’s Stampfli Tosses Second Career No-Hitter
RELEASED: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Pensacola, Fla.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Ronessa Stampfli tossed her second career no-hitter in the Titans’ 8-0 five-inning victory over Mid-America Christian University (Okla.) on March 19.
She stuck out 10 batters and allowed just one walk, while facing 17 batters in the contest. With her 10 strikeouts, Stampfli became the conference’s all-time strikeout leader with 513 strikeouts. Her total surpassed the previous mark of 504 set by UW-Stevens Point’s Karen Guckenberger (2000-03).
Stampfli’s first career no-hitter was against Virginia Intermont College on March 16, 2006.
UW-Stevens Point’s Anderson Hurls No-Hitter
RELEASED: Monday, March 19, 2007
Kissimmee, Fla.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Stephanie Anderson pitched a no-hitter in the Pointers’ 10-0 five-inning triumph over Bridgewater State University (Mass.) on March 18.
She had six strikeouts and hit one batter for her only baserunner allowed in the contest.
It was the first no-hitter for the Pointers since Kelly Jablonski tossed a perfect game against Lakeland College on April 24, 2005.
UW-River Falls’ Perkins Earns 400th Career Win
RELEASED: Monday, March 12, 2007
Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-River Falls women’s softball head coach Faye Perkins earned her 400th career victory in the Falcons’ 4-3 triumph over the United States Coast Guard Academy in Orlando, Fla. on March 11.
Perkins is in her 20th season of collegiate coaching and has amassed a 400-339-2 record (.541 winning percentage). In 18 years with the Falcons, she has compiled a 357-217-2 record (.622 winning percentage). Her 357 victories at UW-River Falls are the most in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history.
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