April 30, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Metro State second baseman Sarah Rusch and designated player Ashley Johnson earned second team all-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) softball honors, the league office announced Wednesday.

In addition, pitcher Libby Balogh, third baseman Jennessa Tesone and outfielders Cari Thompson and Molly Clark all earned honorable mention recognition.

Rusch, a sophomore, leads the Roadrunners in batting average (.368), runs (39), hits (56), and doubles (16), while she ranks second in RBI (44). Rusch was named the RMAC Player of the Week for April 8. Johnson, a junior, leads the team in home runs (14) and RBI (55), while she ranks third in average (.346). Thirteen players were named to each of the first two teams, while 31 players earned honorable mention accolades.

Heather Ebert of Adams State was named the Player of the Year, while Fort Lewis' Cary Moone was named the Pitcher of the Year. Sarah Van Lingen of Colorado School of Mines was named Freshman of the Year, while the Orediggers' Annie Van Wetzinga earned Coach of the Year honors.

The RMAC head coaches vote on the all-conference team.

Metro State, 30-16 overall, is the No. 3 seed in the RMAC Tournament and opens play against No. 6-seed CSU-Pueblo, May 1 at 9 a.m.

2008 RMAC Softball all-Conference Teams

First Team
Jenna Peters, Sr., C, Fort Lewis
Gina Ross, Sr., 1B, Colorado School of Mines
Shannon Galanek, Jr., 2B, Adams State
Allison Hendrickson, So., 3B, Chadron State
Heather Ebert, Sr., SS, Adams State
Stacy Haney, Sr., OF, UC-Colorado Springs
Alisa Heronema, Fr., OF, Regis
Christine Gardella, Sr., OF, Regis
Leslie Reed, Sr., OF, Mesa State
Katie Kocman, So., Util., Colorado School of Mines
Courtney Davis, Jr., DP, Adams State
Cary Moone, Jr., P, Fort Lewis
Kaitlyn Gentert, Sr., P, Regis

Second Team
Sarah Van Lingen, Fr., C, Colorado School of Mines
Laura Gormley, So., 1B, Nebraska-Kearney
Sarah Rusch, So., 2B, Metro State
Felicia Cruz, Sr., 3B, Fort Lewis
Melissa Stratton, Sr., SS, Colorado School of Mines
Pam Apodaca, Sr., OF, New Mexico Highlands
Kaleigh Starr, So., OF, Colorado School of Mines
Ashley Aldrich, Jr., OF, CSU-Pueblo
Kari Romero, Sr., OF, CSU-Pueblo
Rebecca Reynolds, So., Util., Western New Mexico
Ashley Johnson, Jr., DP, Metro State
Kelsey Swanberg, Jr., P, CSU-Pueblo
Casey Williams, Jr., P, Chadron State

Honorable Mention (Metro State)
Libby Balogh, P
Jennessa Tesone, 3B
Cari Thompson, OF
Molly Clark, OF

RMAC Player of the Year - Heather Ebert, Adams State
RMAC Pitcher of the Year - Cary Moone, Fort Lewis
RMAC Freshman of the Year - Sarah Van Lingen, Colorado School of Mines
RMAC Coach of the Year - Annie Van Wetzinga, Colorado School of Mines