Online: http://pacathletics.org/news/2013/5/7/SB_0507134341.aspx
GREENVILLE, Pa. – The Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) announced its 2013 All-PAC Softball teams, as voted on by each of the league's 10 head coaches, Wednesday morning.
Thomas More College junior third baseman Alex Walter was selected as the 2013 PAC Player of the Year while Thomas More head coach Lindsay Bramhall was named the 2013 PAC Coach of the Year.
Thomas More battled from the conference championship tournament’s number four seed to secure the league’s 2013 title. The tournament championship is Thomas More’s fourth in program history (2013, 2010, 2009, 2007). The Saints have earned appearances in the conference championship tournament in seven of its eight years as a PAC member.
Thomas More (24-17) is the second-straight number four seed to claim the PAC tournament title, following Geneva College’s (22-18) terrific two-day run a year ago.
With the league’s automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA Division III Softball Championship, the Saints will be traveling to the Angola, Indiana Regional to take on Capital University (34-10) on Thursday, May 9. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Walter, an all-conference honorable mention selection in 2012, is the fourth Saints player to earn Player of the Year honors since Thomas More entered the conference in 2005-06. She wrapped up the PAC regular season and last week’s conference championship tournament as the league’s top hitter, currently hitting at a .470 clip. She also led the league in on-base percentage (.554) and was second in hits (55). In last week's championship tournament Walter hit .600 (6-for-10) with three runs scored and earned a spot on the PAC's All-Tournament team.
The Coach of the Year honor is Bramhall’s third since taking over the Thomas More program in 2009. In her five seasons in Crestview Hills, Bramhall has led the Saints to three PAC Championship Tournament titles.
2013 Awards
PAC Player of the Year: Junior 3B Alex Walter, Thomas More College
PAC Coach of the Year: Lindsay Bramhall, Thomas More College
Team Sportsmanship Award: Grove City College
2013 All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Softball Teams
First Team
Position Name Class School Hometown / High School
C Danielle Massengill So. Thiel College North Bend, Wash. / Mt. Si
1B Laura Beck Fr. Geneva College Canfield, Ohio / Canfield
2B Stephanie Zur Sr. Washington & Jefferson College Bethel Park, Pa. / Bethel Park
SS Kelsey Cunningham Jr. Washington & Jefferson College McMurray, Pa. / Peters Township
SS Kelsey Shirey So. Grove City College Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia
3B Alex Walter Jr. Thomas More College Lebanon, Ohio / Lebanon
OF Jasmine Blackwell Jr. Waynesburg University Moon Township, Pa. / Moon Area
OF Amanda Callahan So. Thiel College Austintown, Ohio / Austintown Fitch
OF Maria Vallone Sr. Bethany College Rochester, N.Y. / Webster Schroeder
P Chelsea Brown Sr. Westminster College New Castle, Pa. / Mohawk
P Ronni Burns Jr. Thomas More College Dayton, Ohio / Carroll
P Samantha Johnson Fr. Geneva College Murrysville, Pa. / Franklin Regional
Utility Emily Jump Sr. Bethany College Milford, Del. / Polytech
Utility Mamee Salzer Fr. Thomas More College Erlanger, Ky. / St. Henry
DP Layne Carpenter Sr. Westminster College Marietta, Ohio / Marietta
Second Team
Position Name Class School Hometown / High School
C Olet Stasko Sr. Westminster College McDonald, Pa. / West Allegheny
C Jenn Stefano Jr. Chatham University Connellsville, Pa. / Connellsville
1B Stefaney Turner Jr. Thomas More College Franklin, Ohio / Carlisle
2B Ashley Dolan Jr. Thiel College Export, Pa. / Franklin Regional
SS Ashley Davis Jr. Geneva College New Middletown, Ohio / Springfield Local
SS Rachael Moon Sr. Waynesburg University Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda
SS Katie Hughes Sr. Westminster College Boardman, Ohio / Cardinal Mooney
SS Ana Walter Fr. Thomas More College Lebanon, Ohio / Lebanon
3B Sadie Marek So. Washington & Jefferson College Butler, Pa. / Butler
OF Kayla Kelly Fr. Bethany College Pasadena, Md. / Institute of Notre Dame
OF Sarah Swettlen Fr. Saint Vincent College Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield Area
OF Natalie Vasquez Sr. Chatham University Amherst, N.Y. / Sweet Home
P Lauren Clarke Sr. Grove City College Lower Burrell, Pa. / Burrell
P Carrie Maier Jr. Waynesburg University Greensburg, Pa./ Greensburg Salem
Utility Emily Watson Fr. Washington & Jefferson College Harmony, Pa. / Seneca Valley
Honorable Mention — 1B: Shannon Baczak (Beaver Falls, Pa. / Blackhawk), So., Saint Vincent College; 2B: Madison Presto (Center Twp., Pa. / Center), Jr., Waynesburg University; SS: Jessica Kusnierz (New Castle, Pa. / Shenango), So., Bethany College; 3B: Allison Hryadel (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Montour), Fr., Westminster College; OF: Dayna Hicks (Beaver Falls, Pa. / Blackhawk), Fr., Geneva College; Megan Lynskey (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Allegheny, Fr., Grove City College; P: Krista McCartney (Salem, Ohio / United Local), Fr., Washington & Jefferson College