Print Story | Email Story

Issued: May 8, 2007

SIX SOFTBALL MEMBERS GARNER ALL-CONFERENCE ACCOLADES

MADISON – Six members of the UW-Eau Claire softball team earned All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honors including three first team selections, it was announced today by WIAC Sports Information Director Matt Stanek.

Receiving first team accolades were first baseman Jill Janke (Jr.-Black River Falls, WI), shortstop/second baseman Casey Leisgang (Jr.-Seymour, WI), and pitcher Bri Sturm (So.-Zumbrota, MN/Zumbrota-Mazeppa). Receiving honorable mention was pitcher Mallory McKinney (Sr.-Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park), right fielder Rachel Paulus (Sr.-Wisconsin Rapids, WI/Lincoln), and third baseman Michelle Butkus (Jr.-Medford, WI).

For Janke and Leisgang, this marks the third straight year that they have been selected to the first team. Janke leads the Blugolds this year with a .370 batting average through 43 games played. She has hit five home runs this season and is currently tied for the fourth-most home runs in school history with 15. Janke has been solid at first base this season, committing just one error in 330 chances.

Leisgang earned first team honors for the third year in a row as she leads Eau Claire with 48 hits, nine doubles, and six home runs. After breaking the record earlier this season, she holds the record with 25 career home runs.

Sophomore Bri Sturm receives her first All-WIAC honor with a record of 14-4 on the mound for the Blugolds. Sturm had an earned run average of 2.47 with two complete game shutouts and two saves. Sturm was the winning pitcher in the WIAC Tournament championship game against UW-Oshkosh on Saturday.

Mallory McKinney received honorable mention honors after receiving first team honors the previous three seasons. McKinney is 14-8 this season with a 1.44 ERA. At the plate McKinney has three home runs and is currently tied with Casey Leisgang with a team-high 31 RBIs. McKinney holds school records with 539 career strikeouts and 118 career appearances. She is second in strikeouts in WIAC history. McKinney is second in school history in innings pitched (617), wins (70), and shutouts (26). She is third on the school’s all-time list with 20 home runs.

Rachel Paulus also received honorable mention accolades. All three of her career home runs have come this season including the game winner that propelled the Blugolds into the NCAA Tournament on Sunday. She is third on the team with 45 hits and she leads the team going 13-for-14 on stolen base attempts. She is third in school history with 39 stolen bases.

Finally, freshman Michelle Butkus was an honorable mention selection. Butkus is batting .358 with seven doubles and two home runs. Butkus has committed just six errors at the hot corner for the Blugolds.

Oshkosh pitcher Ronessa Stampfli was named Pitcher of the Year for the third straight time and Whitewater’s Amy Gahl was named Position Player of the Year. Oshkosh’s Cindy Suess was recognized as Coach of the Year.

Complete list of All-WIAC selections

- JR -

Go Back