May 5, 2004

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today the Central College junior pitcher Corrie Schmidt (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny HS) has been named 2004 IIAC Softball Most Valuable Player and Central head coach George Wares has been named 2004 IIAC Softball Coach of the Year.

Schmidt completed Conference play with an 11-3 record and a 0.96 earned run average in 15 games. She surrendered just 10 earned runs in 72.2 innings while striking out 45 batters. She ranked among the Conference top-five in all major pitching statistical categories leading the IIAC in wins (four more than the next player), appearances (15) and starts (14). She finished second in the Conference in strikeouts, third in ERA and fourth in opponents batting average (.203). Schmidt allowed just 53 hits and 10 walks (three intentional) against Conference competition. On the final day of the season, she won both games of a doubleheader against then Conference leader Simpson allowing two runs in 14 innings to move the Dutch past the Storm in the standings and clinch their third straight Conference Championship.

Overall, Schmidt, the second straight Central pitcher to win IIAC MVP honors, enters this weekend’s NCAA Regional Tournament with a 23-5 record, one save and a 1.22 ERA in 32 games (27 starts). Her 23 victories are currently eighth most nationally In 149.1 innings, she has struck out 108 batters, surrendered 36 runs (26 earned), allowed just 105 hits, walked 32 and held opponents to a .198 batting average.

Wares was named IIAC Coach of the Year for the third straight season and sixth time overall (1990, 1993, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004). He guided Central to a 13-3 record in the IIAC, its ninth Conference title since 1986 and its 19th straight NCAA postseason appearance. The defending National Champion Dutch enter the NCAA Tournament with a 32-7 overall record.

The IIAC also announced today the Softball All-Conference Team. The 24-member team includes 12 First Team players and 12 Second Team players. Coe has a Conference-high six players on the All-Conference Team including three First Team selections. Central and Wartburg each have five players, the Dutch with a Conference-high four First Team selections and the Knights with two First Team selections.

The complete 2004 IIAC All-Conference Softball Team is here.

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