SEWARD, Neb. – Freshman pitcher Michaela Woodward starred during the Concordia softball team’s late-season run to a second-straight national tournament appearance. In recognition, she was named to the Omaha World-Herald’s All-Nebraska NAIA Softball Team. Fellow Bulldogs Molly Madsen, Julia Tyree and Becca Walker received honorable mention from the Omaha news outlet.
A workhorse in the circle, Woodward logged 194.2 innings while posting a record of 20-13 to go along with a 4.89 ERA and 137 strikeouts. She fired every single Bulldog pitch over the team’s six-game GPAC tournament title chase. At the plate, she batted .392 with three home runs, 39 RBIs. She had a .439 on-base percentage and a .562 slugging percentage.
Tyree established herself as Concordia’s most consistent hitter. She posted team highs of a .397 batting average, seven home runs, .514 on-base percentage and .652 slugging percentage. Madsen, a two-time second team all-conference choice, batted .282 with 30 RBIs as a senior. Walker hit .315 with a homer and 31 RBIs in her final collegiate season.
Head coach Todd LaVelle’s squad went 29-23 and collected the program’s first-ever national tournament win in 2015.
All-Nebraska NAIA Softball Team
C: Sayde Woten, Bellevue, Fr., .327
1B: Heather Sabata, Hastings, Jr., .350
2B: Ashley Gigax, Bellevue, Sr., .424
3B: Sam Valadez, Doane, So., .362
SS: Kayla Ritzdorf, Midland, Sr., .387
OF: Nicki Larsen, CSM, Fr., .500
OF: Chloe Boeka, Hastings, So., .469
OF: Rachel Kubik, Neb. Wesleyan, Jr., .443
OF: Jennie Sayker, Midland, Sr., .302
UT: Shelby Kindelin, Bellevue, Sr., .387
EH: Mariah Gibson, CSM, Jr., .344
P: Taylor Mohler, Bellevue, Sr., 22-7
P: Ellie Doughty, Doane, Jr., 21-8
P: Samantha Hislop, Midland, Sr., 14-11
P: Michaela Woodward, Concordia, Fr., 20-13
Honorary captain: Ashley Gigax, Bellevue
Honorable mention: Kelli Fisher, Sydney Robertson, Courtney Schendt, Alex Tooley, Bellevue; Mara Eeman, Jessica Gargano, Leah Kipfer, Jamie Zimmerer, College of St. Mary; Molly Madsen, Julia Tyree, Becca Walker, Concordia; Nicole Fernandez, Danielle Morrow, Heather Ramirez, Makaela Moore, Doane; Taylor Erlenbusch, Morgan Fisher, Corrin Ziepke, Hastings; Nicole Andrews, Sherise Burnside, Sarah Leimser, Liz Spooner, Midland; Marisa Garver, Brittany Gentry, Betsy Reimer, Madi Francis, Nebraska Wesleyan; Toni Blackwell, Brittany Harward, Peru State; Chelsea Holland, Morgan Moore, Corrine Pearl, Brittany Rayls, York.