May 24, 2007 (Scholar-Athlete Release)

May 24, 2007

Olathe, KS- With the season now complete, accolades, both on and off the field, continue to roll in for members of the Graceland University softball team. After both Maria Barwig and Jennifer Soukeroff were named to the NAIA Region V team earlier in the week, teammate Bryn DeGraw was named as a Daktronics Scholar-Athlete for the 2007 season.

The Jacket’s starting shortstop and one of the team’s leaders, DeGraw put together a solid performance off the field as well as she was named a Daktronics Scholar-Athlete. Eligible to juniors and seniors with at least a 3.5 grade-point average, DeGraw continues to impress.

After sitting out all of the 2006 season while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, DeGraw immediately made her impact with both her glove and her bat. Starting 31 games, Degraw finished the season with a .286 batting average while collecting 26 hits including three doubles, two triples, and two homeruns on the season. She also drove in 16 runs while scoring 18 runs for the Jackets.

A slick fielder who helped anchor the infield defense for head coach Don Stopa, the Jackets rarely saw Degraw miss-handle a defensive play as she committed only seven errors during the long season while pulling in a few high-light reel catches as well.

It should come as no surprise that both Soukeroff and Barwig were honored as All-Region V selections. These two powerful hitting players led the Jackets all season long in the middle of the lineup.

Soukeroff, the Jacket’s slugging first-baseman that started every game of the 2007 season, is a native of Castlegar, British Columbia. A junior at Graceland, Soukeroff led the Jacket’s with a .422 batting average while blasting five homeruns and driving in 36 RBI’s. Soukeroff also paced the Yellowjacket’s team with 62 hits and tied for the lead with 12 doubles and four triples.

A versatile athlete for the Jackets, Barwig spent most of her time behind the dish as the Yellowjackets catcher but also spent time at third-base. No matter her position in the field, Barwig was always a threat at the plate. Leading the Jackets with eight homeruns and 40 RBI’s, Barwig scored 22 runs while totaling 50 hits including 12 doubles in her 38 games on the field.

With all three players slated to return in 2008, the Graceland softball team appears to be in good hands, on and off the field.


For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Michael Brown, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mibrown@graceland.edu