The MIAC office released the 2009 softball awards today, and six Wildcats were honored for their efforts this past season.
Sophomore Jessica Kniefel was named to the MIAC All-Conference team for the second time in her career. As the Wildcats leadoff hitter Kniefel hit .417, had 14 stolen bases, scored 22 runs and had 10 RBIs. She was ranked in the top 10 in the MIAC in both average and stolen bases, and led the team in those categories as well as in runs scored.
Kniefel was also named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Midwest Region team. Kniefel was one of only 14 MIAC athletes to be honored with this award.
First year pitcher Tianna Allen, sophomore second baseman Lisa Jacobs, junior outfielder Jenna Clark and senior Jessi McGehee were named to the MIAC honorable mention team.
Allen was the Wildcats pitching staff ace. She finished her first season of collegiate competition with an 8-11 record, and had 99 strikeouts in 119.1 innings pitched.
Jacobs, who also received honorable mention honors last season, made numerous contributions to the Wildcats during the season including hitting .275 with a .363 slg%. She also had 13 RBIS, 12 Runs, 5 doubles, and committed only two errors all season while recording a team leading 199 putouts.
Clark was also competing in her first season of collegiate softball, and regularly provided clutch hitting for Coach Makowske's team. Clark was second on the team with two home runs, third on the team with a .395 slg% and fifth on the team with 32 total bases. She also drove in 8 runs and had a .959 fielding percentage.
McGhee provided leadership behind the plate and was always a threat from her cleanup position in the lineup. She ended the season as the Wildcats leader in Home Runs (5), RBIS (24) and Slugging percetnage (.505). She was also second on the team in runs (15), hits (26), doubles (3) and On base percentage (.383).
Kelsey Luedtke was also honored by the MIAC Office. The first year student-athlete from Spring Lake Park was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship team.