Ferris' Stevenson Earns All-Region Honor From Daktronics

Ferris State University senior pitcher Kayle Stevenson picked up some much-deserved recognition for her softball exploits during the 2010 campaign.

The Holland native, who prepped at West Ottawa High School, was named a member of the 2010 Daktronics, Inc. All-Midwest Region Softball Second-Team earlier this month. Stevenson, the talented left-handed pitcher who was a solidifying force for the team, in general, and the pitching staff, in particular, earns a nice honor at the close of her softball career.

Stevenson finished with a 12-6 record and a 1.98 earned run average this spring. A two-time All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pitcher, Stevenson tossed five shutouts for the Bulldogs in 20 games.

Also of note, Wayne State standout Casey Hanes earned Daktronics Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year honors while teammate Alison Allen was named Daktronics Midwest Region Player of the Year. That is evidence enough of the banner season that Wayne enjoyed on the softball this season under long-time head coach Gary Bryce.

Sports information directors voted on the honors.

Daktronics, Inc. All-Midwest Region Second Team

Pitchers

April Ehlers (#7) Northern Kentucky P 5-10 Jr. Greenville, IN (Floyd Central)
Logan Hursey (#18) Ashland P/DP Jr. Zanesville, OH (John Glenn)
Kayle Stevenson (#8) Ferris State P 5-5 Sr. Holland, MI (Hillsdale)

First Base

Jennifer Berlet (#5) Hillsdale 1B 5-9 So. Walton, IN (Lewis Cass)

Second Base

Rose Broderick (#14) Northern Kentucky 2B 5-7 Sr. Cincinnati, OH (Oak Hills)

Third Base

Meaghan Baurer (#10) Missouri-St. Louis 3B 5-4 Sr. Glasford, IL (Illini Bluffs/Illinois Central)

Shortstop

Jessica Farris (#23) Northern Kentucky SS 5-5 So. Independence, KY (Simon Kenton)

Catcher

Brittany Omelanchuck (#19) Wayne State (MI) C 5-11 Fr. Brooklin, Ontario

Outfield

Christine Holthus (#9) UW-Parkside OF 5-2 Jr. Elgin, IL (Burlington Central)
Jaci Messmer (#9) Findlay OF 5-10 Jr. Forest, OH (Forest)
Stephanie LeClair (#3) Wayne State (MI) OF 5-9 Sr. Kitchener, Ontario

Designated Player

JaCee Ellis (#8) Missouri-St. Louis DP 5-7 Jr. Frankford, MO (Bowling Green HS)

Utility Player

Emily Schwaeble (#21) Northern Kentucky P/OF 5-6 Fr. Cincinnati, OH (Colerain)

Ferris gets one on Daktronics All-Region team

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Ferris State is in the midst of another great season, built on a solid all-around team, and one member of that team was recognized on the 2008 Daktronics, Inc. All-Great Lakes Region Softball Team.

Junior first baseman Amanda Jager was the lone Bulldog to earn all-region recognition as she was a second-team selection. Jager has been a key part of the team’s success in her first full season at first base. She is batting a team-leading .373 this spring, entering Friday, with 47 hits, 13 doubles, seven home runs and 30 runs batted in. Jager’s power and consistency swinging the bat have helped the Bulldogs emerge as one of the better hitting squads around.

Disappointing was not seeing the Bulldogs get just one all-region selection considering 2007 All-American Sarah Mueller is in the midst of another stellar season hitting .324 with 47 hits, 10 doubles, six triples and three home runs with 29 RBIs. Also, sophomore second baseman Amanda Harrington is having a career year batting .341 with 45 hits, 12 doubles, two triples and two home runs with 18 RBIs.

But, then again, not every player can make this particular all-region team.

Among the familiar faces on the Daktronics all-region teams are Wayne State pitcher Molly Yetman (a first-team pick as a pitcher), Saginaw Valley State pitcher Stacy Kraatz (a second-team choice) and Grand Valley State players Elizabeth Smith and Kristin Moleski (both second-team all-region selections).

Yetman was the 2008 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year and Kraatz was the 2008 GLIAC Player of the Year.

The team was picked by a vote of the region’s sports information directors. All first-team all-region choices advance to the national ballot which is scheduled to be released soon.