Tyree, Woodward highlight softball all-conference choices
SEWARD, Neb. – After starring in Concordia’s GPAC tournament title run, junior Julia Tyree and freshman Michaela Woodward headline 2015 all-conference selections for head coach Todd LaVelle’s squad. Tyree garnered first team selection while Woodward was placed on the second team, as announced by the GPAC on Friday. Meanwhile, senior Molly Madsen received honorable mention.
Tyree, the program’s first choice on the GPAC first team since Nicole Sempek in 2012, has blossomed in her third season as a Bulldog. She is the team leader in hits (56), runs (37), doubles (11), home runs (seven), RBIs (38), slugging (.681), walks (22) and on-base percentage (.526). The native of Benicia, Calif., ranks among the top five players in the GPAC in batting average, on base and slugging.
Woodward, who hails from Cortland, Neb., has fired more innings (180.1) than any pitcher in the GPAC this season. She went 5-1 at the GPAC tournament to improve her overall season mark to 19-11. She also owns a 4.54 ERA and 133 strikeouts. At the plate, Woodward is hitting .386 with three home runs and 38 RBIs. She provided the key three-run blast in the victory over Morningside that clinched the GPAC title and trip to the national tournament.
Madsen, a two-time second team all-conference pick, is hitting .277 with 29 RBIs in her final season at Concordia. The native of Thornton, Colo., has recorded 333 putouts and a .983 fielding percentage as the team’s first baseman.
The Bulldogs (28-21) will return to action on Monday when they take on No. 1 Oklahoma City (52-4) in the opening round of the 2015 national tournament. Concordia is making its second-straight trip to the national tournament.