Lady Lions earn national recognition

Courtesy of the Association of Division III Independents

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.— Two catchers – Danielle Marino from St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) and Lexi Lawley from Finlandia University – were two of the major award winners as the 2013 All-Independent Softball teams were announced today by the Association of Division III Independents.  Both student-athletes were selected as Co-Players of the Year.

Marino, a senior from Maspeth, New York, hit .415 with three home runs, 28 runs batted in, four triples and 13 doubles.  She slugged .734 and had an on-base percentage of .472.

Lawley, a junior from Bell City, Ala., hit .427 with eight home runs and 46 runs batted in.  She also collected 13 doubles and slugged .813 with a .495 on-base percentage.

Finlandia’s Alyson Herman, a junior from Riverside, Calif., was named the pitcher of the year after she went 15-5 with a 3.09 earned-run average.  In 18 starts, she completed 11 games with two shutouts, and she struck out 80 with only 20 walks.

Kristen Rose, a freshman outfielder from Finlandia University, was named the rookie of the year.  The Covington, Va., native hit .462 with 48 hits, 51 runs, nine doubles, nine home runs, 42 runs batted in with a .508 on-base average and a slugging percentage of .798.

Shawn Hendrickson of Finlandia was selected as the coach of the year.

Softball coaches at member institutions of the Association of Division III Independents selected the award recipients during a conference call.

First Team

Pitcher – Alyson Herman, Junior, Finlandia University (Riverside, CA)

Pitcher – Miranda Brewer, Sophomore, Finlandia University (Harrison, MI)

First base – Lauren Bodfield, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, NE)

Second base – Megan Tieken, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Omaha, NE)

Third base – Genesis Garcia, Junior, College of New Rochelle (New York, NY)

Shortstop – Adrianna Osuna, Junior, Finlandia University (Gilroy, CA)

Catcher – (tie) Lexi Lawley, Junior, Finlandia University (Bell City, AL),
and Danielle Marino, Senior, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Maspeth, NY)

Outfield – Andrea Sideli, Senior, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)

Outfield – Becky Bomberger, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Crete, NE)

Outfield – Kristen Rose, Freshman, Finlandia University (Covington, VA)

Outfield – Rachel Kubik, Freshman, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Omaha, NE)

Outfield – Keri Jewett, Freshman, Finlandia University (Wausaukee, WI)

Utility – Cassandra Molinari, Sophomore, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)

Second Team

Pitcher – Mabel Vargas, Senior, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Ridgewood, NY)

Pitcher – Jackie Perillo, Sophomore, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Howard Beach, NY)

First base – Meghan King, Sophomore, College of New Rochelle (New City, NY)

Second base – Paige Yoho, Sophomore, Finlandia University (Negaunee, MI)

Third base – Jessica Weingarten, Senior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Chesterfield, MO)

Shortstop – (tie) Laquinta Stuart, Junior, College of New Rochelle (Bronx, NY), and Katie Wolk, Junior, Mount Mary College (Oshkosh, WI)

Catcher – (tie) Kayla Randel, Junior, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Beatrice, NE), and Katie Edwards, Sophomore, Mount Mary College (Mackinaw, IL)

Outfield – Maria Randazzo, Freshman, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Brooklyn, NY)

Outfield – Ashley Laking, Freshman, University of Maine-Presque Isle (Topsfield, ME)

Outfield – Tanika Charles, Junior, College of New Rochelle (Brooklyn, NY)

Utility – Morgan Summers, Freshman, St. Joseph’s College (Brooklyn) (Bellerose, NY)

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 10 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The Association provides statistical services for its members in seven sports. In addition, it announced All-Independent teams at the conclusion of eight other sports this year.

More information about the Association of Division III Independents is available at http://www.d3independents.org.