Eight GLIAC Student-Athletes Earn Daktronics All-Midwest Region Softball Honors

Release courtesy of Dan McDonnell, Assistant Director of Sports Information, University of Southern Indiana

EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Indianapolis junior pitcher/outfielder Jennifer DeMotte and freshman outfielder Casey Williamson have been named the Daktronics, Inc. Midwest Region Pitcher and Player of the Year, respectively, in a vote by the region’s sports information directors.

Williamson, a first-team All-Midwest Region honoree as an outfielder, was the GLVC Player of the Year in 2012. She finished her first year of collegiate softball with a blistering .455 batting average, 21 doubles, nine home runs, and 55 RBIs.

The Daktronics All-Midwest Region first-team infield includes Missouri-St. Louis freshman first baseman Brianna Butler, Wayne State sophomore second baseman Nikki Fulton, Bellarmine junior shortstop Megan Murdoch, UIndy junior third baseman Kelsey Rummel, and Saint Joseph’s senior catcher Brittnie Boerema. Fulton was the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference co-Player of the Year.

Joining Williamson on the list of first-team outfielders is Northern Kentucky freshman centerfielder Kaylin Steinmetz and Lewis junior centerfielder Jayme Hefler. Steinmetz is among the national leaders with 23 home runs this season.

Ashland senior hurler Emlyn Knerem, the GLIAC Pitcher of the Year, was joined by Grand Valley State junior Hannah Santora and Drury junior Monica Villarreal on the list of first-team All-Midwest Region pitchers. Knerem finished the year with a 29-7 mark and a 1.60 ERA.

Rounding out the first-team All-Midwest Region squad is Grand Valley State junior Katie Martin. Martin, the Ron Lenz Daktronics National Player of the Year in 2011, finished the year with 10 home runs and 52 RBIs.

The first-team honorees will be included on the ballot for the Daktronics All-America team, which will be announced May 15 in conjunction with the NCAA II Championship in Louisville, Ky.

All-Midwest Region second-team infielders include Bellarmine senior first baseman Lauren Summe, Illinois Springfield junior second baseman Sarah Gray, Grand Valley State sophomore shortstop Briauna Taylor, Ashland senior third baseman Alyssa Kelley, and Missouri-St. Louis freshman catcher Madison Zbaraschuk. Kelley was also the GLIAC co-Player of the Year in 2012.

Second-team outfielders include Grand Valley State junior Nellie Kosola, UIndy freshman Samantha Krcelich, Illinois Springfield sophomore Mandy Smith, and Lewis sophomore Jessica Rourke.

The second-team pitchers include Wayne State senior Sam Cain, Saint Joseph’s junior Megan Ramey, and Drury senior Kelsea Garthoff. Southern Indiana senior Kristen O’Haver is the second-team designated player, while Northern Kentucky junior pitcher/outfielder Emily Schwaeble is the second-team utility player.

The NCAA II Midwest Super Regional will be contested between Saint Joseph’s and Northern Kentucky, May 11-12 in Highland Heights, Ky.

2012 Daktronics, Inc. All-Midwest Region Softball Team

Player of the Year: Casey Williamson, UIndy

Pitcher of the Year: Jennifer DeMotte, UIndy

First Team

Second Team