Yellowjackets Place Four Players on HAAC All-Conference Team
April 30, 2007
Shawnee, KS- With the season now concluded, the Heart of America Athletic Conference released the names of their annual All-Conference team which included four Graceland University softball standouts.
Jennifer Soukeroff (First Team, First baseman)
Soukeroff was one of the most consistent forces in the middle of the lineup all season long for head coach Don Stopa and the Jacket’s team. A powerful, slugging first-baseman, Soukeroff started all 42 games during the 2007 season while leading the Jackets in runs (30), hits (62), batting average (.422), at-bats (147), triples (4) and was second in RBI’s (36) and third in homeruns (5).
A native of Castlegar, British Columbia and a junior student at GU, this marks the second consecutive selection for Soukeroff to the All-Conference listing. She was named honorable mention for her efforts during her sophomore season last year.
Not only equipped with a powerful bat, Soukeroff also performed well with the glove as she led all Yellowjacket fielders in fielding percentage at .986.
Maria Barwig (First Team, Catcher/Third-baseman
A native of Surrey, British Columbia and also just a sophomore, Barwig complimented Soukeroff’s bat in the middle of the lineup very well. Forming a dangerous 3-4 combination in the middle of the order, Barwig led the Jackets with eight homeruns while also pacing the team with 40 runs batted in.
Not just a slugger, Barwig also tallied a .400 batting average while starting 38 games for GU. A versatile player for the Blue and Gold, Barwig collected most of her playing time behind the dish for the Jackets where she was responsible for handling the Jacket’s pitching staff.
Equipped with a powerful arm, Barwig nailed 10 potential base-stealers during the season and helped lead the Jacket’s in many different areas.
Carrie Wilson (Second Team, Pitcher)
Right-hander Carrie Wilson certainly earned her recognition to the HAAC All-Conference Second Team by carrying the Jacket’s down the stretch. A junior out of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Wilson emerged as the staff ace with her dominating pitching in the latter parts of the season.
Named the HAAC pitcher of the week earlier in the year, Wilson compiled a final record of 11-8 with a solid 2.55 ERA, both tops on the club. Appearing in 20 games, Wilson earned 17 starts while tallying 14 complete games inside the circle for GU. Always willing to take the ball, Wilson notched 115 1/3 innings during 2007 while striking out 87 batters and pitching two shutouts.
Lynette Fine (Honorable Mention, Catcher/Third-baseman)
Lynette Fine is listed as a utility player on the Yellowjacket’s roster and she proved to be very valuable in that role. With the Jacket’s suffering a multitude of injuries throughout the season, it was Fine, among others, who were forced to step up and help lead the Jackets down the stretch as they pushed toward a spot in the HAAC postseason tournament.
Splitting time with Barwig behind the plate for much of the season to provide both players with adequate rest, Fine also platooned at third-base while also making appearances as GU’s designated hitter. Fine was forced into duty late in the season as the full-time catcher when Barwig was sidelined with a season-ending injury.
Not simply an effective defender, Fine earned it at the plate as well, finishing second on the team in homers (6) and third in RBI’s with 28. Fine played in all 42 games on the season while earning 40 starts at her various positions. A Bloomfield, Iowa resident, Fine finished the season at a .348 clip with 47 hits including nine doubles and one triple.
With all four players possessing eligibility to return, the GU softball program appears to be left in good hands with the returning cast of players in 2008.
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Michael Brown, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mibrown@graceland.edu
