May 8, 2007

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today the Luther College senior shortstop Lisa Huinker (Decorah, Iowa/Decorah) has been named the 2007 IIAC softball Player of the Year, Coe College sophomore pitcher Ellie Schultz (Clayton, Iowa/Clayton Ridge) has been named the 2007 IIAC softball Pitcher of the Year and Luther head coach Renae Hartl has been named 2007 IIAC softball Coach of the Year. This marks the first time the IIAC has selected a separate Player and Pitcher of the Year.

Huinker enters the NCAA Tournament with a .467 batting average, 14 home runs, 66 RBI and a .967 slugging percentage in 39 games. She ranks among Conference leaders in most offensive categories, including leading the IIAC in slugging percentage, runs scored (52), RBI, doubles (18) and total bases (116). She is second to teammates in batting average, on-base percentage (.546) and home runs, also ranking second in hits (56); and is tied for third with 19 walks.

In 16 Conference games, Huinker hit .468 with six home runs, 23 RBI, a .957 slugging percentage and a .590 on-base percentage. She led the Conference in slugging, on-base percentage, home runs (tied), runs scored (24) and walks (13), while ranking second in hits (22), RBI, doubles (tied, 5), and total bases (45). Her .468 batting average was third.

Schultz enters the NCAA Tournament with a 23-8 record, a 0.82 ERA, 190 strikeouts, 12 shutouts and 24 complete games in 34 games (31 starts). She leads the IIAC in ERA, opponents’ batting average (.132), innings pitched (204.1), wins, and starts; while ranking second in strikeouts and appearances. Schultz also recorded two saves during the season, third in the IIAC.

Schultz started all 16 Conference games for Coe, finishing with a 13-3 record, a 0.74 ERA and 80 strikeouts. She completed 12 of the 16 games and recorded eight shutouts while holding opponents to a .139 batting average to lead the IIAC in all categories except strikeouts which she ranked second.

Hartl guided Luther to its fifth Conference softball title, first since 1988, and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992 (ninth overall). The Norse enter the NCAA Tournament with a 34-5 overall record, including a 14-2 Conference mark. The 34 wins are the most in school history, eclipsing the previous mark of 29 set in 1989 and equaled last year. Its 14-2 Conference record betters Luther’s previous best mark of 13-3 set in 1987 and matched the following year.

The IIAC also announced today the 2007 softball All-Conference Team. The 26-member Team includes 14 repeat All-Conference performers including Luther’s Erin Michael who becomes the 16th four-time All-Conference selection. Regular season Champion Luther had seven All-Conference performers, including six First Team members. Simpson College had five All-Conference Players.

The complete 2007 IIAC softball All-Conference Team is here.

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