HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Ashley Gates headed up a group of three Northern Kentucky University softball players who were named to the Daktronics NCAA Division II All-Midwest Region team, the organization announced on Wednesday.
Gates was named a first-team selection, while teammates
Jessica Farris and
Emily Schwaeble took second-team honors.
Gates, a junior from South Bend, Ind., was once again the power source for the Norse offense, leading the team with an astounding .423 batting average, including nine home runs, 33 runs batted in and 22 runs scored. Her batting average and on-base percentage (.510) led all Great Lakes Valley Conference hitters in 2011. Gates, a first-team All-GLVC honoree, earned her second all-region honor.
Farris, a junior from Independence, Ky., was stellar in the leadoff position of head coach
Kathy Stewart's lineup throughout the season in earning her third consecutive all-region honor. Farris hit.322 on the season and scored 37 runs while swiping 11 bases. Farris also set a career mark with a team-best 15-game hitting streak.
Schwaeble, a sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, earned second-team honors as a designated player and cleanup hitter this year. Schwaeble posted a .340 batting average with team highs in doubles (13) and RBIs (44). Schwaeble was also honored as an All-GLVC first-team selection.
NKU closed out the season with a 29-17 record and a third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
2011 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-Midwest Region Team
First Team
First Base: Chelsea Morris, Jr., Ferris State
Second Base: Amanda Brendel, Sr., Southern Indiana
Shortstop: Briauna Taylor, So., Grand Valley State
Third Base: Marcy Medina, Fr., Saginaw Valley State
Catcher: Carli Raisutus, Jr., Grand Valley State
Outfield:
Ashley Gates, Jr., Northern Kentucky
Outfield: Alison Allen, Jr., Wayne State
Outfield: Brittany Taylor, So., Grand Valley State
Pitcher: Torie Bunzell, Sr., Quincy
Pitcher: Jade Fulton, Sr., Saginaw Valley State
Pitcher: Emlyn Knerem, Jr., Ashland
Designated Player: Katie Martin, So., Grand Valley State
Utility Player: Jennifer DeMotte, So., Indianapolis
Player of the Year: Katie Martin, So., DP, Grand Valley State
Pitcher of the Year: Torie Bunzell, Sr., Quincy
Second Team
First Base: Lauren Summe, Jr., Bellarmine
Second Base: Jamie Keltz, Sr., Indianapolis
Shortstop: Megan Murdoch, So., Bellarmine
(tie)
Jessica Farris, Jr., Northern Kentucky
Third Base: Miranda Cleary, Fr., Grand Valley State
Catcher: Jordan Basham, Jr., Bellarmine
Outfield: Karey Kruse, Sr., Missouri-St. Louis
Outfield: Jayme Hefler, So., Lewis
Outfield: Stephanie Dusendang, Jr., Ferris State
Pitcher: Diana Pickrum, Sr., Lewis
Pitcher: Casey Willard, Sr., Bellarmine
Pitcher: Andrea Nicholson, Jr., Grand Valley State
Designated Player:
Emily Schwaeble, So., Northern Kentucky
Utility Player: JaCee Ellis, Sr., Missouri-St. Louis
