2005 WIAC Women's Softball Headlines

2005 WIAC Women's Softball Headlines

Four Named To NFCA All-Region First Team

RELEASED: Thursday, May 19, 2005

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's softball players have been named to the 2005 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Great Lakes Region First Team. Individuals receiving recognition included: UW-Eau Claire's Jill Janke, UW-River Falls' Amanda Wojnowiak, UW-Stevens Point's Stephanie Anderson and UW-Whitewater's Colleen Boilini.

The All-Great Lakes Region Team consists of individuals representing the WIAC, College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Lake Michigan Conference, Midwest Conference and Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference.

Janke, a freshman first baseman from Black River Falls, Wis., led the WIAC with 36 RBIs, while ranking fourth with 48 hits, fifth with a .575 slugging percentage, 150 plate appearances, 11 doubles and six home runs, eighth with a .358 batting average, 134 at-bats and 12 walks and 10th with a .412 on-base percentage.

Wojnowiak, a freshman outfielder from Big Lake, Minn., was second in the league with 12 doubles, third with a .420 batting average, fourth with a .425 on-base percentage, fifth with 47 hits and eighth with a .563 slugging percentage. Her .420 batting average and 12 doubles rank second on the school's single-season list.

Anderson, a junior utility player from Milwaukee, Wis. (King H.S.), placed second in the conference with 12 doubles, third with a .605 slugging percentage and eighth with five home runs. She also placed third in the league with a 1.05 earned run average, fourth with 99 strikeouts and a .196 opponent batting average and ninth with nine wins.

Boilini, a senior at-large selection from Highland Park, Ill., claimed all-region status for the second time in her career after receiving third team recognition a season ago. This year, she led the WIAC with 59 hits, 21 stolen bases and 162 plate appearances, while ranking second with 148 at-bats, fourth with a .399 batting average, sixth with 25 runs scored and seventh with a .422 on-base percentage. She finished her career fifth on the conference's all-time list with 72 stolen bases.

All four individuals are now eligible for the All-America Team.

The NFCA also named a second and third team for the Great Lakes region. Individuals named to the second team were: UW-Eau Claire's Casey Leisgang and Mallory McKinney, UW-Oshkosh's Ronessa Stampfli, UW-Stevens Point's Rebekah Bauer and Jenny Feidt and UW-Whitewater's Kyley Shramek.

Third team selections included: UW-La Crosse's Carley Anderson, UW-Oshkosh's Whitney Tyriver and UW-Stout's Erin O'Connell.

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UW-Stout Falls In NCAA Division III Women's Softball Regional

Cedar Rapids, Iowa--University of Wisconsin-Stout was eliminated from the 2005 NCAA Division III Women's Softball Regional in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 14 following a 9-3 eight inning loss to St. Mary's (Minn.).

St. Mary's (36-11) pounded out the six runs on four hits enroute to scoring six run in the eighth inning, but UW-Stout (25-21) hurt their own cause with four errors in the extra inning.

UW-Stout took an early lead in the game when Jamie Gorges drove in Courtney Zafft in the second inning. The Blue Devils went to the power game. Gorges hit her first home run of the season, a line shot off the center field fence in the fifth inning and Melissa Coon followed that up with her first home run of the season, a lead off shot to left field in the sixth to give UW-Stout a 3-0 lead.

But the Cardinals knotted the score in the top of the seventh with three runs. Jenny Giannini's single down the third base line drove in a run and Regan Cahanes' single to center field generated two runs to send the game into extra frames.

UW-Stout finished the game with only five hits, three of them in the second inning, and the two home runs. The Cardinals pounded out 11 hits, eight of them in the seventh and eighth innings.

Ande Schrader started the game, but gave way to Megan Donley after giving up the three seventh inning runs. Schrader struck out two, walked one and surrendered seven hits. Donley was tagged with the loss, allowing four hits but only one earned run.

Jenny Schipp got the win for St. Mary's, going seven innings, giving up all three earned runs, seven hits, but recording eight strikeouts and no walks.

In the first game at the Cedar Rapids Regional on May 13, Coe (Iowa) scored seven earned runs in the bottom of the third inning and went on to hand UW-Stout a 7-2 first round loss.

The Kohawks (37-4), a team Stout had beaten 3-2 earlier in the season, struck paydirt in the third inning. Coe, nationally the No. 6 ranked team, laced out six hits in the inning, including a double by Chris Engel and three-run, two-out, bases-loaded triple by April Kalmes. Kalmes had led the inning off by drawing a walk as Coe sent 11 batters to the plate.

The Blue Devils did not lay down. Kaela Wold hit a one-out single to left field in the sixth, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored when Jackie Juan singled to right center. Courtney Zafft led off the seventh inning with a triple to the right field corner, then scored on a single by Jamie Gorges.

UW-Stout did avoid trouble in the first inning when Gorges, the catcher, picked up a suicide squeeze bunt attempt in front of the plate, turned, and tagged out the sliding runner at the plate. The Kohawks left runners on in every inning except the sixth inning and stranded six. Stout also stranded six and left two in scoring position in the fourth inning.

Juan led Stout by going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Wold, Zafft, Gorges and Beth Lloyd each had one hit apiece. Engle and Ashley Wagner were 2-for-4 for the Kohawks, while four other Coe players - including Kalmes' big-blow triple - had one hit.

Megan Donley had won nine previous starts and was saddled with the loss. Donley (12-12) gave up all seven runs and surrendered seven hits. She had two walks and no strikeouts. Ande Schrader pitched 3.1 innings of one-hit ball in relief, striking out two and walking two. Amy Ernst got the win for the Kohawks, allowing only two hits and no runs. She struck out six in four full innings of work and walked one. Sarah Marting surrendered both runs and gave up four hits and struck out two.

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UW-Oshkosh's Stampfli and UW-Superior's Tarasewicz Top All-WIAC Women's Softball Team

RELEASED: Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Ronessa Stampfli was voted the Pitcher of the Year and UW-Superior's Sarah Tarasewicz was selected the Position Player of the Year to top the 20 individuals voted to the 2005 all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women's Softball Team by the league coaches.

Stampfli helped UW-Oshkosh to a 24-15-1 overall record and 10-6 mark in league action. The Titans registered the most overall wins since 1987 when they had 31 victories and completed the regular season in second place for their best finish since 1999 when they also placed second.

Stampfli leads the conference with 17 victories, 186 strikeouts and a .186 opponent batting average, while ranking second with a 1.01 earned run average and third with 138.0 innings pitched and 28 appearances. Her 186 strikeouts established a conference single-season record.

She had seven games with 10 or more strikeouts, including a season-high 15 against Delaware Valley (Pa.) on March 15. Stampfli also fired a one-hitter against UW-Superior on April 17.

Stampfli is joined on the first team by teammates Anne Stanislawski and Whitney Tyriver. Stanislawski led the Titans with 23 RBIs, seven doubles and four home runs, while ranking second with 124 at-bats and 43 hits. She was a honorable mention selection in 2004.

Tyriver places third in the WIAC with a .431 on-base percentage, fifth with 47 hits, sixth with a .376 batting average and 25 runs scored and eighth with eight stolen bases.

Sarah Tarasewicz helped UW-Superior to a 23-16 record, marking the third time in the last four seasons the team has registered 20 or more victories. She leads the conference with a .454 batting average, a .992 slugging percentage, a .536 on-base percentage, 41 runs scored, 14 home runs and seven triples, while ranking second with 54 hits and 18 walks and third with 31 RBIs. Her 14 home runs and .992 slugging percentage rank second on the league's single-season list.

Tarasewicz started all 39 games for the Yellowjackets and hit safely in 34 contests, including 15 multi-hit games.

Tarasewicz holds the conference career record with 38 home runs and a 1.080 slugging percentage, while ranking second with a .434 batting average and 21 triples. She was a honorable mention choice last season after receiving first team accolades in 2003 and 2002.

Jamie Bang, Kathleen Duffy and Erin Kegley joined Tarasewicz on the first team. Bang claimed first team status for the second straight year after ranking second in the conference with a .434 batting average and a .462 on-base percentage, third with 53 hits and 28 runs scored, sixth with 27 RBIs and seventh with a .566 slugging percentage.

Duffy places second in the WIAC with 14 stolen bases, fifth with a .393 batting average and a .423 on-base percentage, sixth with 25 runs scored and eighth with 46 hits. She was a honorable mention selection in 2004.

Kegley captured first team honors for the second consecutive season. She leads the league with 36 RBIs and 13 doubles, while ranking second with three triples, fifth with 26 runs scored and sixth with a .568 slugging percentage.

UW-Eau Claire's Mallory McKinney, Jill Janke and Casey Leisgang secured first team status after helping the Blugolds to their second straight conference championship. McKinney claimed first team laurels for the second straight year after ranking second in the league with 16 wins, 134 strikeouts, 158.2 innings pitched and a .192 opponent batting average, third with 28 appearances and fifth with a 1.15 earned run average. She also places fifth in the WIAC with 14 walks, sixth with 147 plate appearances and 27 RBIs and seventh with nine doubles.

Janke leads the conference with 36 RBIs, while ranking fourth in the conference with 150 plate appearances and 48 hits, fifth with a .575 slugging percentage, 11 doubles and six home runs, sixth with 134 at-bats, eighth with a .358 batting average and 12 walks and 10th with a .412 on-base percentage.

Leisgang leads the WIAC with 19 walks, while placing third with eight home runs and sixth with a .422 on-base percentage.

UW-Stevens Point's Stephanie Anderson, Rebekah Bauer and Kelly Jablonski helped the Pointers to a 26-15 overall record, which are the most wins for the program since 2000 when they had 27 victories.

Anderson ranks second in the conference with 12 doubles, third with a .605 slugging percentage and eighth with five home runs. She also was productive in the pitching circle, placing third in the WIAC with a 1.05 earned run average, fourth with 99 strikeouts and a .196 opponent batting average and ninth with nine wins. Anderson earned honorable mention accolades in 2004.

Bauer secured first team status for the second straight season after placing second in the conference with 12 doubles, eighth with 46 hits, ninth with 130 at-bats and 10th with a .354 batting average.

Jablonski leads the league with a 0.59 earned run average, while ranking third with a .195 opponent batting average, fifth with 13 wins, sixth with 130.0 innings pitched and 10th with 81 strikeouts. Her 0.59 earned run average places second on the league's single-season chart. Jablonski fired a perfect game against Lakeland on April 24 and registered a no-hitter against Milwaukee School of Engineering on April 3.

UW-River Falls had two individuals secure first team honors. Emily Evans ranks fifth in the WIAC with 47 hits and seventh with a .364 batting average. She also added 19 RBIs, eight doubles and six runs scored. Evans was a honorable mention choice last year.

Amanda Wojnowiak places second in the conference with 12 doubles, third with a .420 batting average, fourth with a .425 on-base percentage, fifth with 47 hits, sixth with nine stolen bases and eighth with a .563 slugging percentage.

UW-Stout's Kaela Wold and Erin O'Connell were recognized for their efforts during the 2005 campaign. Wold became the 21st player in the conference history to earn first team honors four consecutive seasons. She places fourth in the WIAC with 27 runs scored, fifth with six home runs, sixth with 134 at-bats and 10 doubles and ninth with a .545 slugging percentage. Wold holds the school career record with 115 RBIs and 52 doubles, while ranking second with 22 career home runs. Her 52 doubles are also second on the conference's all-time list.

O'Connell earned first team honors for the third straight year. She ranks third in the league with 31 RBIs, fourth with seven home runs, eighth with 131 at-bats, ninth with 24 runs scored and 10th with a .542 slugging percentage and 144 plate appearances. O'Connell holds the school record with 31 career home runs and is second with 112 career RBIs. Her 31 home runs place her second on the league's all-time chart.

UW-La Crosse's Carley Anderson secured first team honors after being a honorable mention selection in 2004. She ranks sixth in the WIAC with 13 walks and eighth with a .421 on-base percentage, while leading the Eagles with 37 hits, 17 RBIs, five doubles and two home runs.

UW-Platteville's Ashley Strnad led the team with a .346 batting average, a .449 slugging percentage, a .388 on-base percentage, 37 hits, 17 runs scored and six doubles.

UW-Whitewater's Colleen Boilini earned first team status for the second straight season. She leads the league with 162 plate appearances, 148 at-bats, 59 hits and 21 stolen bases, while placing fourth with a .399 batting average, sixth with 25 runs scored and seventh with a .422 on-base percentage. Boilini finished her career fifth on the conference's all-time list with 72 stolen bases.

Named to the honorable mention team were: UW-Eau Claire's Shannon Barone and Andrea Neuville, UW-La Crosse's Barb Evers, Michelle Lange and Jenny Wirtz, UW-Oshkosh's Lyndsey Allen, UW-Platteville's Wendi Siedschlag, UW-River Falls' Brittany Rathbun, UW-Stevens Point's Jenny Feidt and Laura Zierler, UW-Stout's Heather Novalany, UW-Superior's Jamie Lovstad and UW-Whitewater's Kyley Shramek.

UW-Eau Claire head coach Leslie Huntington was voted the Coach of the Year for the second straight season after leading the Blugolds to their second consecutive conference title and a 33-11 overall record. She is the second coach in league history to win the honor in back-to-back years, joining UW-Whitewater's Brenda Volk (1999-2000). Huntington is in her fourth season at UW-Eau Claire and has compiled a 94-65 overall mark (.591 winning percentage).

2005 All-WIAC Women's Softball Team
First Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Carley Anderson, La Crosse, Senior, Catcher, Stockholm (Pepin)
Stephanie Anderson, Stevens Point, Junior, Utility, Milwaukee (King)
Jamie Bang, Superior, Junior, Outfield, Hermantown, Minn.
Rebekah Bauer, Stevens Point, Junior, Outfield, Stevens Point (SPASH)
Colleen Boilini, Whitewater, Senior, Shortstop, Highland Park, Ill.
Kathleen Duffy, Superior, Junior, Outfield, Superior
Emily Evans, River Falls, Senior, Thirdbase, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Kelly Jablonski, Stevens Point, Freshman, Pitcher, Stevens Point (SPASH)
Jill Janke, Eau Claire, Freshman, Firstbase, Black River Falls
Erin Kegley, Superior, Sophomore, Secondbase, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. (Simley)
Casey Leisgang, Eau Claire, Freshman, Shortstop, Seymour
Mallory McKinney, Eau Claire, Sophomore, Pitcher, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Champlin Park)
Erin O'Connell, Stout, Senior, Firstbase, Altoona
Ronessa Stampfli, Oshkosh, Freshman, Pitcher, Brodhead
Anne Stanislawski, Oshkosh, Senior, Thirdbase, Amherst
Ashley Strnad, Platteville, Junior, Catcher/Firstbase, Prairie du Chien
Sarah Tarasewicz, Superior, Senior, Catcher, Hurley
Whitney Tyriver, Oshkosh, Freshman, Shortstop, Oshkosh (West)
Amanda Wojnowiak, River Falls, Freshman, Outfield, Big Lake, Minn.
Kaela Wold, Stout, Senior, Shortstop, Altoona

Honorable Mention
Lyndsey Allen, Oshkosh, Sophomore, Secondbase, Amherst
Shannon Barone, Eau Claire, Sophomore, Secondbase, De Pere
Barb Evers, La Crosse, Junior, Firstbase, Appleton (Freedom)
Jenny Feidt, Stevens Point, Junior, Secondbase, Kimberly
Michelle Lange, La Crosse, Freshman, Shortstop, Kenosha (Tremper)
Jamie Lovstad, Superior, Sophomore, Firstbase, Esko, Minn.
Andrea Neuville, Eau Claire, Junior, Pitcher, Green Bay (West)
Heather Novalany, Stout, Senior, Secondbase, Cottage Grove, Minn. (Park)
Brittany Rathbun, River Falls, Freshman, Pitcher, Rochester, Minn. (Mayo)
Kyley Shramek, Whitewater, Sophomore, Catcher, Taylor (Blair-Taylor)
Wendi Siedschlag, Platteville, Senior, Catcher/Firstbase, Monroe
Jenny Wirtz, La Crosse, Sophomore, Thirdbase, Wisconsin Rapids (Lincoln)
Laura Zierler, Stevens Point, Freshman, Thirdbase, Kaukauna

Position Player of the Year: Sarah Tarasewicz of Superior

Pitcher of the Year: Ronessa Stampfli of Oshkosh

Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete: Dana Jakoubek of Whitewater

Coach of the Year: Leslie Huntington of Eau Claire

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UW-Whitewater's Jakoubek Named Women's Softball Scholar-Athlete

RELEASED: Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Dana Jakoubek has been named the 2005 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Judy Kruckman Women's Softball Scholar-Athlete, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Jakoubek, a senior from Brookfield, Ill. (Fenwick H.S.), is majoring in human performance and health promotion and minoring in health promotion, while maintaining a 3.43 grade point average. She was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Scholar-Athlete last season and is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Jakoubek is a two-time recipient of UW-Whitewater's Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award and has been recognized on the Dean's List and Honor Roll.

Jakoubek was an all-WIAC first team selection last season after claiming honorable mention status in 2003. She ranks in the top 10 on the conference's all-time list for strikeouts. Jakoubek holds UW-Whitewater's career record for saves and ranks second on the all-time strikeout list, while placing in the top 10 in innings pitched, wins, earned run average and complete games.

Jakoubek is a member of UW-Whitewater's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and has volunteered for "Reading with the Warhawks". She has also volunteered at a retirement home in the Whitewater community and Chicago.

Jakoubek becomes the ninth women's softball student-athlete from UW-Whitewater to receive the conference scholar-athlete award. She joins Megan Koeller (2003), Laura Hering (1999), Angela Sheehan (1998), Mary Beth Alt (1995), Mary Jo Weberpath (1989), Jill Schyvinck (1987), Julie Mennen (1986) and Kathy McKibben (1982).

Also nominated for this year's scholar-athlete award were: UW-La Crosse's Carley Anderson and Lindsey Spraker, UW-Oshkosh's Cassie Goodweiler and Anne Stanislawski, UW-River Falls' Megan Blakeley and Carolyn Guisinger and UW-Whitewater's Erin Weber.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is sponsored by Culver's. In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years.

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UW-Stout To Travel To Coe College For NCAA Women's Softball Regional

RELEASED: Monday, May 9, 2005

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday, May 13 and face Coe College in a NCAA Division III Women's Softball Regional.

The Blue Devils (25-19) are the sixth seeded team in the six-team field, while Coe is the third seeded team and Washington (Mo.) is the top seeded team. Defending national champion St. Thomas (Minn.) is seeded second. St. Mary's (Minn.) is fourth and Fontbonne (Mo.) is the fifth seed.

Cedar Rapids Women's Softball Regional Tournament Schedule
Friday, May 13
Game #1--St. Mary's (MN) vs. Fontbonne (MO), 10 a.m.
Game #2--UW-Stout vs. Coe (IA), Noon
Game #3--Washington (MO) vs. Winner of Game #1, 2 p.m.
Game #4--St. Thomas (MN) vs. Winner of Game #2, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 14
Game #5--Loser of Game #2 vs. Loser of Game #3, 10 a.m.
Game #6--Loser of Game #1 vs. Loser of Game #4, Noon
Game #7--Winner of Game #3 vs. Winner of Game #4, 2 p.m.
Game #8--Winner of Game #5 vs. Winner of Game #6, 4 p.m.

Sunday, May 15
Game #9--Loser of Game #7 vs. Winner of Game #8, Noon
Game #10--Winner of Game #7 vs. Winner of Game #9, 2 p.m.

Monday, May 16
Game #11 (If Necessary)--Winner of Game #10 vs. Loser of Game #10, 10 a.m.

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UW-Eau Claire Claims Second Straight Women's Softball Crown

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire claimed its second straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's softball title on Sunday, May 1 at the conference cluster tournament in River Falls, Wis.

The Blugolds defeated UW-Whitewater, 6-3, and UW-Platteville, 4-2, in their two games on Sunday to secure the crown. UW-Eau Claire finished the conference race with a 13-3 mark and entered Sunday's competition with a one-game lead over UW-Oshkosh.

The conference championship for UW-Eau Claire is the sixth in school history (2005, 2004, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1991) and marks the first time a team has won back-to-back titles since the Blugolds won the crown in 1997 and 1998.

In the victory over the Warhawks, Megan Oster's pinch-hit grand slam in the top of the second inning gave the Blugolds a lead they would not give up. UW-Whitewater scored a run in the bottom of the third to get within, 4-3, but UW-Eau Claire scored a pair of runs in the sixth on Casey Leisgang's run-scoring double and Molly Blakewell's run-scoring single. Leisgang, Jill Janke and Terisa Syvertsen each had two hits for UW-Eau Claire.

Against UW-Platteville, Jill Janke singled in the second of two runs in the top of the first inning and Oster had a run-scoring double in the fourth inning.

UW-Eau Claire also earned the top seed for the conference tournament, which will be hosted by UW-Whitewater May 6-7. The winner of the conference tournament receives the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

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UW-Whitewater's Volk Secures 200th Career Victory

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's softball head coach Brenda Volk secured her 200th career victory in the Warhawks' 1-0 win at Lawrence University on April 26.

Volk is in her seventh season at UW-Whitewater and owns a career record of 200-92-4 (.682 winning percentage). Her 200 career victories rank fourth on the conference's all-time list.

The Warhawks are currently 15-17 this season.

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UW-Superior's Plachta Registers 100th Career Win

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Superior women's softball head coach Roger Plachta registered his 100th career win with a 5-0 victory over Northland College on April 1 in Ashland, Wis.

Plachta is in his fifth season with the Yellowjackets and has compiled a 103-69 record (.599 winning percentage). His 103 victories rank 14th on the conference's all-time wins list.

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UW-Oshkosh Names Suess New Women's Softball Coach

RELEASED: Wednesday, August 4, 2004

Oshkosh, Wis.--Cindy Suess, who guided Verona High School to five state tournament appearances the past six seasons, has been named the new head women's softball coach at UW-Oshkosh. Suess becomes the 11th head coach in the 32-year history of the UW-Oshkosh women's softball program, replacing interim tutor Amy Smith.

Suess has served as head girls' softball coach and physical education teacher at Verona High School since 1993. Over the past 12 seasons, she has directed the Wildcats to a 228-49 record, five WIAA Division 1 State Tournaments and eight Badger Conference championships. Verona advanced to the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, posting second-place finishes in 2001 and 2002. The Wildcats have won the Badger Conference title every year since 1997.

"Cindy's credentials and accomplishments reflect great success as a coach," said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Allen Ackerman. "She will ignite our women's softball program with a level of energy, intensity and commitment that will take it in an exciting new direction."

This past year, with four sophomores and a freshman in her starting lineup, Suess led Verona to an 18-5 record and a semifinal round appearance in the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament. In 2003, Suess coached the Wildcats to a 22-3 record and another visit to the semifinal round of the WIAA Division 1 State Tournament.

"I'm excited about becoming a member of the UW-Oshkosh coaching staff," said Suess. "Several of the UW-Oshkosh athletics programs have been very successful at the conference and national level and my goals are for the softball program to do the same. UW-Oshkosh is a great university and the upcoming renovations to the softball facility will help make the school one of the finest places to play."

During her tenure at Verona, Suess coached 12 all-state first team selections and seven scholarship performers, including a pair of all-state first team picks this past season. The Luxemburg-Casco High School graduate also directed numerous camps, clinics and fundraisers to enhance and promote the Verona softball program. Suess has been a member of the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association since 1993, serving as president since 2003. She also is a member of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

"My 12 years of coaching softball at Verona were very enjoyable," said Suess. "I had the opportunity to coach some outstanding softball players and develop great relationships in the community. Winning eight straight conference titles and making five trips to the state tournament were direct results of the hard work, great attitudes and team chemistry of the softball program at Verona."

Prior to her appointment at Verona, Suess coached girls' basketball and taught physical education classes at McFarland High School from 1989 to 1992. She also taught physical education classes and coached at Avondale High School in Auckland, New Zealand, from 1987 to 1988 and Marian Central High School in Woodstock, Ill., from 1985 to 1987. While in Auckland, Suess was a member of the Metro Softball Club that captured the 1987 New Zealand national championship.

Suess was a standout softball player at Wartburg College (Iowa), receiving NCAA Division III All-America first team honors for the Knights in 1985. She also gained All-Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) first team honors in 1984 and 1985 and all-league second team mention in 1983. Suess compiled a .350 batting average during her three years at Wartburg College, the second-highest career mark in school history. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from the school in 1985.

Assisting Suess at UW-Oshkosh will be her husband, Graeme Robertson. Robertson, a former player on New Zealand's National Fastpitch Softball Team, will coach the pitchers and the catchers. In addition to her coaching duties, Suess will also work in the UW-Oshkosh athletics department as a member of the strength and conditioning staff.

UW-Oshkosh concluded the 2004 season with a 20-19 record, including a fifth-place mark of 9-7 in the WIAC.

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Munzenmaier Named UW-Stevens Point Women's Softball Coach

RELEASED: Wednesday, June 9, 2004

Stevens Point, Wis.--Ann Munzenmaier, who starred on St. Mary's University's 2000 NCAA Division III championship team, has been named the head softball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Munzenmaier spent the past two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at Minnesota State University-Mankato. She will be a full-time staff member at UW-Stevens Point and teach in the department of Health, Exercise Science and Athletics.

Munzenmaier replaces interim head coach Kelly Erickson, who guided the Pointers to their 11th straight 20-win season with a 20-21 record during the 2004 campaign. Erickson, an All-American player and former assistant coach for the Pointers, withdrew her candidacy for the position due to family reasons.

"Kelly did an outstanding job this past season," UW-Stevens Point athletic director Frank O'Brien said. "She has been an integral part of our program for the past seven years and will always have a special place in Pointer softball."

During Munzenmaier's four-year collegiate career, St. Mary's posted a 141-33 record, including a 40-6 mark during her sophomore year in 2000 when the Cardinals won the national championship. Munzenmaier was a three-year starter as a leftfielder and leadoff hitter, batting .400 during the championship season. The Cardinals placed fourth at nationals in 2001.

"Ann brings a winning background to our program," O'Brien said. "She is an energetic young coach who we're excited to have leading our softball program."

An Urbandale, Iowa native, Munzenmaier played for one of the state's most successful prep softball programs and also returned during the summer as an assistant coach during the 1999 and 2000 seasons.

"I'm really excited about coaching at UW-Stevens Point," Munzenmaier said. "With a strong core of returners and great freshman class, I think Pointer softball is positioned to again be one of the top programs in Midwest."

UW-Stevens Point won the 1998 national championship and had no seniors on this year's squad that placed sixth in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

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