May 7, 2003

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that Central College senior pitcher Libby Hysell (Colfax, Iowa/Colfax-Mingo HS) has been named the 2003 IIAC Softball Most Valuable Player and Central Head Coach George Wares has been named 2003 IIAC Softball Coach of the Year.

Hysell completed Conference play with a 7-0 record and a Conference-best 0.10 earned run average (second lowest in League history), having surrendered just one run in 67.1 innings. She tied for the Conference lead with 78 strikeouts, led the Conference in opponents’ batting average (.105) and ranked second in victories as Central won its second straight IIAC title. Hysell allowed just 23 hits and 19 walks (eight intentional) during the season.

Overall, Hysell enters this weekend’s NCAA Regional Tournament having pitched seven consecutive shutouts and not allowing a run in 50.2 innings. She has a 13-0 overall record with a 0.30 ERA. In 20 games, including 16 starts, she has pitched 115.2 innings, striking out 123 batters and allowing just nine runs (five earned) on 50 hits.

Wares was named IIAC Coach of the Year for the second straight season and fifth time overall (1990, 1993, 2000, 2002, 2003). He guided Central to a 14-2-1 record in the IIAC and its eighth Conference title since 1986. The Dutch will make their 18th consecutive NCAA postseason appearance this weekend and enter the Tournament with a 32-4-1 record overall. Wares has a 648-208-3 (.756 winning pct.) overall record in 19 years and is the leader among active Division III coaches in victories.

The IIAC also announced today the Softball All-Conference Team. The 24-member team includes 12 First Team players and 12 Second Team Players. Central, Coe College and Wartburg College each have five All-Conference players. Central and Wartburg have three First Team selections and Coe has three Second Team selections. Fourteen of the 24 All-Conference players received similar honors in previous seasons.

The complete 2003 IIAC All-Conference Softball Team is here.

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