Marlins' Bogan and Howerin, R-MC's Gilman also Honored
SALEM, Va. --- Virginia Wesleyan College pitcher Kandis Kresinske headlined four ODAC players who received All-American awards from the NFCA at a presentation on Wednesday evening in Salem, Va. The Marlins righty was named the inaugural Schutt Sports/NFCA Division III Freshman from the Year in addition to earning First Team All-America distinction.
Kresinske was joined on the first team by a pair of teammates in first baseman Cassetty Howerin and outfielder Courtney Bogan, the latter of whom also garnered the NFCA Golden Shoe Award as the nation's leader in stolen bases. Randolph-Macon College catcher Madison Gilman caps the ODAC's representation as she earned recognition as a Third Team All-American.
The awards were announced at a special presentation in conjunction with the NCAA Division III Softball National Championship Series. Play to determine the national champion begins on Thursday morning.
NFCA Awards Release
Kresinske, who previously picked up ODAC Pitcher and Rookie of the Year laurels, finished the season 18-2 with a conference-best 1.13 earned run average. In 124.1 innings in the circle, she gave up just 69 hits for a .161 opponent's batting average, which ranked second in the league. She fanned 117 batters, the third-most in the ODAC, while issuing just 31 walks. She posted 12 complete games and seven shutouts, which slot third and first on the conference charts this season, respectively.
Howerin capped her second season in Virginia Beach by leading the league in several offensive categories including batting average (.504), on-base percentage (.584), doubles (13), and walks (28). She also topped the league tables with a Virginia Wesleyan single-season record 63 runs driven in, which came up just three short of tying the ODAC all-time mark. Howerin finished second in hits (65) and slugging (.837), while ranking third in homeruns (10).
Bogan finds herself perched atop both ODAC all-time steals records as he 70 swipes this season eclipsed the 52 from teammate Kayla Malkos in 2014. Bogan's 173 career steals also moved her ahead of a former Marlin, bettering the 129 career stolen bases posted by Tori Higginbotham. Bogan hit .417 this season and led the ODAC with 57 runs scored. She finished third in OBP (.518), fourth in walks (25), and fifth in hits (58).
Gilman capped her career as the Yellow Jackets' catcher by hitting .399 with and ODAC second-best 11 homers and 31 RBI. Her .732 slugging percentage and 11 doubles chimed in third, and she placed sixth with 55 hits. She registered 10 walks on the season, but she also led the leauge after being hit by 10 pitches, helping her to a .466 OBP.
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