Crowder College softball coach Lori Videmschek expects to field another strong team next spring.
An illustration: Three ’Lady Riders — all freshmen — have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association/NJCAA All-American Team.
They are first-teamer Jessica Neely (outfielder from Nevada), second-teamer Morgan Coleman (designated player from Webb City) and third-teamer Carson Forge (infielder from Hallsville).
Crowder finished 44-18 overall and was 0-2 in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament at St. George, Utah.
Neely, who led off, paced the team in average (.403), hits (89), runs scored (63), triples (11) and stolen bases (52).
Coleman averaged .348 with 47 runs scored, 20 extra-base hits and 43 RBI. Third sacker Forge, who averaged .387, paced the team in home runs (8) and RBI (58) and added 57 runs scored.
The three players were eligible for the NFCA/NJCAA All-American Team by being named to the first Region XVI elite.
“This recognition is big for the players and our team,” Videmschek said in a release from Crowder director of public information Cindy Brown. “Coaches in the Midwest regions vote on the players not only based on their statistics but by seeing them play. To have three players named in the same season is huge.”
Brown said the Crowder softball and basketball teams earned Academic All-American status. They had to post at least a 3.0 GPA. Tina Robbins’ basketball team logged a 3.13 and softball a 3.10.
Videmschek and assistant Whitney Clute said goodbye to four sophomores — catcher Navada Campos (Pryor, Okla.), outfielder Carrie Binder (Knob Noster, Mo.) and pitchers Kaily Harvey (McDonald County) and Jessica Wirzberg (Coldspring, Texas).
Plus, Videmschek said, catcher Nana Jewett (Joplin), who averaged .322, and infielder Sam Meador (McDonald County) don’t plan to continue their softball careers.
Campos (.331, 31 bases on balls) is headed for Northeastern State of Tahlequah, Okla. Binder plans to walk on at Central Missouri of Warrensburg. Workhorse Harvey (28-9, 2.26 ERA, 238 innings) and Wirzberg (11-8) still are looking.
Sophomores, in addition to Coleman, Forge and Neely, are Sarah Sagely (West Fork, Ark.), Kirstie Ickes (Washburn Southwest), Kala Crisp (Farmington, Ark.), Katelyn Christopher (Wright City, Mo.), Shelby Stuck (Webb City), Amber Taylor (Carthage) and Brooke Hulsey (Neosho).
Hulsey averaged .342 with 27 doubles, six homers and 47 RBI. Stuck averaged .295 with 21 stolen bases and 14 sacrifices. Ickes and Crisp hit .312 and .283, respectively.
Videmschek said, in addition to incoming freshmen, outfielder Jackie Thurman is joining Crowder.
“Thurman, from Alma (Ark.), will be a sophomore,” Videmschek said. “She didn’t play this past spring at Connors State (Warner, Okla.), because of a knee injury, but did play as a freshman.
“It should be fun and interesting on how the fall workouts develop,” Videmschek said. “We have a shot at having an outstanding season.”
Sports
June 15, 2012
Crowder lands three freshmen on All-America team
- High School Sports
- Missouri Southern Sports
- Pittsburg State Sports
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Large-school state track and field competition begins today
Globe File Carl Junction's Alex McMullen (left), pictured during the district track meet on May 11, is part of the Bulldogs' 4x400 relay team that has qualified for the Class 3 state meet in Jefferson City.
Shane Williams of Mount Vernon is among the favorites in three events at the MSHSAA Class 3 Track and Field Championships on Friday and Saturday at Dwight Reed Stadium in Jefferson City.
Continued ... - 2 Lions earn All-American track honors
- Eagles' state tennis entries are veterans
- Oronogo driver wins second feature
- Seven athletes selected for PSU's hall of fame
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