Northern Kentucky University Athletics

One of the most dominating pitchers in the history of collegiate softball, Lewallen led NKU to a pair of regional championships and helped the Norse establish themselves as a national power. In 2004, Lewallen posted a 31-5 record and helped NKU advance to the NCAA Division II World Series for the first time in school history. She led the nation in earned run average (0.27) that season and was named the most valuable player of the Great Lakes Regional after tossing a one-hit shutout against Grand Valley State in the championship game. The following year, Lewallen’s dominating presence in the circle keyed NKU’s record-breaking 55-0 start. She would finish the season with a 32-1 record and led the nation in ERA for the second straight year. NKU advanced to the NCAA Division II World Series for the second straight season, then defeated Le Moyne (N.Y.) and St. Mary’s (Texas) to push its record to 55-0. Lynn (Fla.) handed NKU a 1-0 defeat in the winner’s bracket to end the run at perfection. Lewallen earned National Player of the Year honors from the NFCAA and later was named the Honda Award winner, which is given to the nation’s top collegiate female athlete. She finished her career as NKU’s all-time leader in wins (79), ERA (0.45), strikeouts (501), complete games (83) and winning percentage (.840). Lewallen’s 335 strikeouts, 32 wins and .970 winning percentage in 2005 are also Norse single-season records.