May 13, 2009

Southwest Minnesota State University tabbed both the Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year accolades for the 2009 Daktronics, Inc. Softball All-Central
Region. SMSU’s Amanda Burkhart was named the Central Player of the Year, while Amanda Johnson garnered the Central Pitcher of the Year honors.

Below is the list of the 2009 Daktronics, Inc. All-Central Region First Team and Second Team. Of note, all players that land on the First Team will automatically advance to the All-America ballot.

The composition of the All-Region teams were two teams (1st and 2nd) comprised of 13 persons based on position breakdown (1 C, 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 SS, 3 OF, 1 DP, 1 UT, 3 P). A regional Player and Pitcher of the Year (separate ballot) were also selected by the sports information directors of each school in the region.

2009 Daktronics, Inc. Softball All-Central Region First Team
Central Player of the Year:
Amanda Burkhart, Southwest Minn. St. RF
Central Pitcher of the Year:
Amanda Johnson, Southwest Minn. St. P

Pitchers:
Katie Goetzinger, Wayne St. (Neb.) Pitcher
Stacey Struzynski, Winona St. Pitcher
Amanda Johnson, Southwest Minn. St. Pitcher
Outfielders:
Kellie Nishikida, Metropolitan St. Denver CF
Amanda Burkhart, Southwest Minn. St. RF
Kaleigh Starr, Colorado School of Mines OF
1B: Amanda Tucci, Southwest Minn. St. 1B
2B: Amanda Wilhelm, Winona St. 2B
SS: Kristina Barr, Western New Mexico SS
3B: Lauren Cross, Mesa St. 3B
C: Alisa Heronema, Regis (Colo.) C
DP: Tara Mickelson, Metropolitan St. Denver DP
UT: Katie Kocman, Colorado School of Mines UT

2009 Daktronics, Inc. Softball All-Central Region Second Team
Pitchers:
Christie Robinson, Metropolitan St. Denver P
Casey Williams, Chadron St. P/DP
Kendra Huettl, Minn. St. Mankato P
Outfielders:
Terra Halron, Winona St. OF
Jess Anderson, Minn. St. Mankato OF
Ashley Aldrich, Colorado St.-Pueblo CF
1B: Denee Johnson, Adams St. 1B
2B: Kelly Purcell, Colorado St.-Pueblo 2B
SS: Janine Tyler, Colorado St.-Pueblo SS
3B: Katie Johnson, Colorado St.-Pueblo 3B
C: Sarah Van Lingen, Colorado School of Mines C
DP: Courtney Davis, Adams St. DP
UT: Sara Jordan, Mesa St. P/DH