DC Softball Players Given Academic Recognition
STARKVILLE, MISS. – Seven members of the Defiance College softball team were named NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes for the 2008-09 academic school year.
STARKVILLE, MISS. – Seven members of the Defiance College softball team were named NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes for the 2008-09 academic school year. The individual honor, which requires a minimum of a 3.5 grade point average for the year, was given to Lisa Brophy, Kayla Crager, Justine Johnston, Elizabeth Petrie, Aubrie Ridinger, Kelly Schnipke and Kelsey Williams. The girls collectively posted a 3.72 GPA.
Brophy is a sophomore athletic training and wellness and corporate fitness major from Saline, Mich. She will look to work her way into the pitching rotation this season to help fill the void left behind by last season's ace Justine Johnston. Brophy's selection comes as no surprise after she was a four-year Gold Honor Roll student and National Honor Society member at Saline High School
Crager, a criminal justice major from Marion, Ohio, was a four-year starter for the Yellow Jackets. She recorded 24 hits, 11 runs and 14 RBI's in 2008-09 while posting 14 base on balls and three home runs. The second baseman majored in criminal justice during her time at Defiance College.
Johnston, the Jackets' ace pitcher last season, won 19 games in 2008-09, holding her opponents to a .264 batting average. The Wauseon, Ohio native majored in early childhood education before graduating last spring. Johnston was an NFCA All-America Scholar each of her four years at DC.
Petrie is a middle childhood education major from Attica, Ohio. The junior infielder played in three games for the Yellow Jackets in 2008-09 and will compete for playing time at first base and third base this season. Petrie was also a National Honors Society member and an Honors Diploma recipient at Seneca East High School.
Ridinger is a sophomore integrated social studies major with a minor in autism studies. The LaGrange, Ohio, native played in three games as a freshman last season, recording two at-bats and one run. Ridinger is expected to compete for playing time at first base and in the outfield this season.
Schnipke is an early childhood education major from Kalida, Ohio. She will play a huge role in the Yellow Jackets' success this season as she replaces Justine Johnston as the ace of the pitching rotation. In 2008-09, Schnipke started in 16 games, winning ten and posting a .237 earned run average.
Williams is a sophomore criminal justice major from Hopkins, Mich. with a minor in psychology. The Jackets expect Williams to compete for playing time at first base this season, after being selected all-conference and Defensive MVP as a senior at Hopkins High School.
The softball team will begin their 2009-10 campaign on March 5, when they travel to Kentucky for a double-header against Centre College. Their first home game is scheduled for March 17, when they host a double-header against NCAA Div. II Findlay University beginning at 3:00 p.m.