SOFTBALL: 2007 ALL-MIAA TEAM
Alma, Mi.- After compiling a 14-2 conference record and a Co-MIAA Championship this year, the Scots were rewarded with three First Team All-MIAA nods, including that of senior Kay McDonald (Rosebush/Mt. Pleasant) who was also named MIAA Most Valuable Pitcher.
ALL-MIAA FIRST TEAM
Kay McDonald led the Scots pitching staff with a 16-3 record and a 1.26 ERA. McDonald was the essence of consistency as she started 19 games for the Scots, and finished all 19. Coach Griffin showed his confidence in his senior pitcher by occasionally asking her to pitch in relief- a challenge that McDonald responded to by recording four saves in five appearances. Alma's ace only gave up 99 hits to the 503 batters she faced. McDonald struck out 39% of those batters, racking up 194 K's for the season. Alma's senior pitcher led the MIAA in ERA (.126), innings pitched (138.2), K's (194), wins (16), saves (4), appearances (24), starts (19), and was second in opposing batting average holding her opponents to a very slim .197.
Junior Amy Gaudard (Mt. Pleasant/Mt. Pleasant) was also named to the All-MIAA First Team. Gaudard batted a cool .364 for the Scots while holding together the infield at the vital shortstop position. Gaudard scored 16 runs, and notched 20 RBIs for Alma while leading the team with 18 walks. The talented junior was better than solid on defense fielding the dart board position with only four errors on the year. Gaudard will be a key player for the Scots in 2008, as they will depend on her leadership and outstanding play during her senior season.
Rounding out Alma's ALL-MIAA First Team players is junior Missy Morcom (Chelsea/Chelsea). As important as Guadard is to the Scots' infield, Morcom is to the outfield from her centerfield position. Morcom was a terror on opponents pitching all year as she led the Scots with a slugging percentage of .662 and finished third on the team with a BA of .346. The powerful one hitter, also led the Scots in runs scored (31), hits (45), and RBIs (30) while leading the whole MIAA with 30 home runs and 86 total bases. The Scots are lucky to have Missy back for another year.
ALL-MIAA SECOND TEAM
Any good coach will tell you that you can't win the league without two solid pitchers. Sophomore Katie Koechling (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) was responsible for shutting the door for the Scots, pitching the second game of most double headers finishing with an 11-6 record and earning All-MIAA Second Team Honors. Koechling started 17 games for Alma, racking up 59 K's and a 2.89 ERA. The sophomore did a good job making her opponents earn their way on base, only giving up 19 free passes out of 401 batters faced. The Scots will be looking for big things from Koechling in her junior year.
The Scots future looks bright as they will get three more years from Houston Verbeck (Flint/Kearsley), one of only two freshman honored with a place on the All-MIAA Second Team. Verbeck led Alma with a BA of .402 while playing constantly better defense in left field as the season progressed. The freshman ranked in the top five statistically in slugging pct. (.622), on base pct. (.425), runs scored (18), hits (33), doubles (10), and home runs (2). As well as Verbeck played all year, her most memorable play came on defense in the MIAA Tournament when she robbed a Hope hitter of a home run, running in to the fence and protecting the Scots charge towards the NCAA Tournament.
RECEIVING COACHES HONORABLE MENTION
(From Left to Right) Sophomore Brittany Fales (Midland/Midland Dow), freshman Sarah Johnson (Portland/Portland), and freshman Kasey Miller (Grand Ledge/Grand Ledge) all received Coaches Honorable Mention nods. Fales hit .299 for the Scots with 17 RBIs and 15 runs scored. Johnson hit .291 with 22 runs scored and 22 RBIs. Miller hit .294 with 14 RBIs and 25 runs scored for the Scots.
Posted: Thu, May 10th, 2007 at 1:31PM
