MILWAUKEE (05/05/2009) -- The Northern Athletics Conference has announced its 2009 All-NAC Softball Awards and Alverno College’s Rebecca Schmid was named to the Second Team All-NAC.
Schmid (Tigerton, Wis.), a senior catcher, was tops in the conference in multiple categories. Offensively she was ninth in stolen bases per game (0.30) and 10th in runs scored per game (0.93). Defensively she led the league in runners picked off (4), was fifth in caught stealing by (7), and eighth in chances (214).
“It’s great that Bec finally received recognition for the work she does behind the plate. She's a strong catcher and it’s nice for her to be honored in her senior season,” commented Alverno Head Coach Heather Burtman.
Schmid hit .351 from the lead-off position this season with a .415 slugging percentage and .408 on base percentage, all top three on the team. Her 28 runs scored, 33 hits and six doubles led the Inferno.
Schmid also ended the season with a six-game hitting streak and recorded seven multiple hit games.
On the defensive end she also had the best fielding percentage on the team at .963 and a team-high 182 putouts, a new single-season Alverno record. Schmid also posted a game-high 17 putouts on April 29 versus MSOE which was the conference-high this season and a new school record.
“She definitely is a great all-around player. Offensively and defensively she contributed tremendous amounts to our team. The other coaches in the conference acknowledged her for her offensive output, but certainly for her defensive play as well,” said Burtman.
“The fact that she makes the decisions on what pitch Jessi [Goetz] throws says a great deal. With Jessi recording the tremendous amount of exceptional games she did this season -- the no-hitter, the 17-strikeout performance, and multiple double-digit strikeout games -- that has a lot to do with Bec. It says a lot about her knowledge of the game and knowledge of what pitch should be thrown.”
In Schmid’s freshman season she was named to the 2006 All-Rookie Team in the former Lake Michigan Conference. She was also one of the most accomplished volleyball players in Alverno history, claiming honorable mention All-NAC accolades in 2006.
Senior third baseman Andrea Spindler (Greendale, Wis.) was also honored, being named to the 13-member All-Sportsmanship team.
“Regardless of what happens on the field, Andrea always has a positive attitude and is there to help out her teammates. It’s no surprise to me that she is on the sportsmanship team because she displays it day in and day out,” said Burtman.
Spindler led the Inferno in hitting with a .400 average, a .525 slugging percentage and 25 RBIs. She also had two home runs and four doubles on the season.
The Inferno (7-23, 5-19 NAC) won three of their final six games this season, and finished 11th in the 13-team Northern Athletics Conference.
