six norse named to all-Midwest region team
May 6, 2009
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) released the 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-Region Teams yesterday and six Luther players were named to the all-Midwest Region teams.
Infielder Anna Simonson and center fielder Kim Hess were first team selections. Catcher Tiffany Kruse, designated player Abby Christian and Danielle Armbruster, who was an at-large selection, were second team honorees. Outfielder Kelsey Hake was an at-large selection on the third team.
As first team selections, Simonson and Hess will now advance to the national ballot for All-America consideration. Simonson is having her best season in a Norse uniform. Starting at second base and batting lead-off, Simonson has produced a batting average of .377, that includes three doubles, two triples and a home run. She has scored 44 times and driven in 21 runs. Defensively, She has been credited with 82 putouts, 37 assists and eight errors for a fielding percentage of .937.
Hess, a third team all-Midwest at-large selection in 2007, has rewritten the Norse record books this season. She leads the team batting .431 scoring a team best 49 runs. She is a perfect 29-29 in stolen bases and holds the career record in this category with 70. She also holds the school record for career hits (199) and is two shy of career record for runs scored (135). Defensively, she has been credited with 54 putouts, three assists and two errors for a fielding percentage of .966.
Luther (33-9) wrapped up the regular season with a second place finish at the Iowa Conference Tournament. The Norse will travel to Simpson College May 7-9 for the NCAA III National Softball Tournament - First Round. This is the second time in the past three years the Norse have made an appearance in the national tournament and 10th time in school history.
