Six Softball Players Represent UD on AD3I All-Independent Team
KANSAS CITY, MO – St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) pitcher Allison Chiaramonte and Nebraska Wesleyan University pitcher Alysia Wittmaack were the major award winners as the 2010 All-Independent Softball teams were announced today by the Association of Division III Independents.
Chiaramonte, a sophomore from Staten Island, NY, was named the player of the year after she went 17-5 with a 1.20 earned-run average. She led the AD3I in ERA, opponents' batting average (.198) and strikeouts (179). She ranked second in wins and third in innings pitched and had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 9-to-1. She also excelled at the plate as she hit .437 and led the AD3I with 37 runs scored. She hit in a school-record 23 straight games and struck out only five times in 129 plate appearances.
Wittmaack, a junior from Lincoln, NE, was named the pitcher of the year for the second straight year after she went 18-5 with a 2.25 earned-run average and four shutouts. Wittmaack struck out 142 batters and walked only 23 in 143.1 innings pitched. She sits atop the NWU career strikeout chart with 453 after three years with the Prairie Wolves. This year, she also had two saves, 14 complete games and only 23 walks in 142 innings pitched.
Ashley Leverenz of Mount Mary College and Millicia Malvasio from St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) were named co-rookies of the year. Leverenz, a freshman first baseman from Mauston, Wis., led the AD3I in batting average (.434) and slugging percentage (.618). Malvasio, a freshman shortstop from Brooklyn, NY, led the AD3I in on-base percentage (.532) and walks (27). She also hit .421, the third highest mark in the AD3I.
St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) head coach Frank Carbone, who led the Lady Bears to a 28-11-1 record, was named the coach of the year for the second consecutive year.
Softball coaches at member institutions of the Association of Division III Independents selected the award recipients during a conference call.
Pitcher – Alyson Chiaramonte, Sophomore, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Staten Island, NY)
Pitcher – Alysia Wittmaack, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)
Pitcher – Abby Wilmes, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)
Pitcher – Lisa Scheer, Sophomore, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Bayside, NY)
First base – (tie) Ashley Leverenz, Freshman, Mount Mary College (Mauston, WI); and Dani Brown, Senior, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)
Second base – Melanie Villarroel, Senior, Chapman University (Rosemead, CA)
Third base – Megan Heath, Junior, Mount Mary College (Milwaukee, WI)
Shortstop – Lauren Bodfield, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)
Catcher – Lara Lijewski, Junior, Mount Mary College (Milwaukee, WI)
Outfield – Dani Bryant, Sophomore, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)
Outfield – Jackie Marinello, Junior, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)
Outfield -- Lainey Herring, Freshman, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Houlton, ME)
Outfield – Kerry Peterson, Freshman, Chapman University (Belmont, CA)
Utility – Elizabeth Johnston, Freshman, College of New Rochelle (Plano, TX)
DP – Lisette Whittaker, Junior, Mount Mary College (Milwaukee, WI)
Second Team
Pitcher – Sarah Solis, Freshman, Chapman University (Hollister, CA)
Pitcher – Whitney Thomas, Senior, University of Dallas (Fort Worth, TX)
Pitcher – Liana Reveles, Sophomore, University of Dallas (Austin, TX)
Pitcher – Ally Waffle, Senior, Chapman University (Yorba Linda, CA)
Pitcher – Nicole Russell, Senior, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Lincoln, ME)
First base – Marcia Kennedy, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Omaha, NE)
Second base – Danielle Marino, Freshman, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Bayside, NY)
Third base – Desiree Smith, Sophomore, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Thomaston, ME)
Shortstop – (tie) Brittany Humphrey, Junior, University of Maine-Presque Isle (New Gloucester, ME); and Brittany Castro, Freshman, University of Dallas (Houston, TX)
Catcher – Morgan Smith, Freshman, University of Dallas (Irving, TX)
Outfield – Mary Holmberg, Freshman, Mount Mary College (Wausau, WI)
Outfield – Jesse Allen, Junior, University of Dallas (Madison, MS)
Outfield -- Mabel Vargas, Freshman, St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) (Ridgewood, NY)
Outfield – Amber Adams, Senior, University of Dallas (Lancaster, TX)
Utility – Krista Wearden, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Fontanelle, NE)
DP – Jayme Jarvis, Sophomore, Chapman University (San Diego, CA)
The Association of Division III Independents consists of 14 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition, it announced All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.
More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org.