Softball Trio Earns All-MAC Honors

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Eastern Michigan University softball team had a pair of All-Mid-American Conference second team selections in junior outfielder Jenny Scherer (Stow, Ohio-Stow-Munroe) and sophomore shortstop Stacie Skodinski (South Bend, Ind.-Washington). In addition, freshman Kaylee Tolliver (Amanda, Ohio-Amanda Clearcreek) was selected to the All-Freshman Team.

“I am very proud of these three players as they represent EMU softball in a positive manner on and off the field,” seventh year head coach Karen Baird said of the trio. “I know ultimately they would rather win a MAC championship instead of receiving an individual accolade.”

For Scherer, it marks the third consecutive year that she has received All-MAC honors. “Jenny Scherer has proven year after year that she can top her own performance. She has worked extremely hard on her game at the plate and in the outfield,” Baird said of the three-year starter. A first team selection in 2007, the junior was a second team pick last season. This year, Scherer was second on the team with a .318 batting average while leading the MAC in home runs (14), RBI (41) and total bases (101) while ranking second in runs scored (33) and slugging percentage (.682). Her 14 home runs set a new single-season EMU mark, giving her now 36 round trippers for her career. Scherer was also selected MAC West Division Player of the Week twice this year.

Skodinski just completed the best offensive season in EMU history. The shortstop hit a MAC-leading .425 to go along with a .486 on-base percentage and .787 slugging percentage, both tops in the conference. In addition, she was second in RBI (37) and total bases (92) while ranking third in doubles (12) and fourth in home runs (9). Her .425 average sets a new program standard and she becomes only the second player in EMU history to hit over .400 in a season. She collected 15 multi-hit games while striking out only 20 times this season. Skodinski was tabbed MAC West Division Player of the Week once, while being named the best offensive player at the team's annual banquet. “Stacie Skodinski has truly done a great job of focusing on being a complete softball player. The best part is Stacie improves everyday,” Baird said.

Tolliver's selection to the All-Freshman team marks the fourth consecutive year that an Eagle has been named to the rookie team. “Kaylee is by far the most improved player on our team this spring. As the season went on you could see the confidence build in her offense and defense. When she had the game winning hit vs. BGSU last Saturday that spoke volumes to how far she has come this season,” Baird said of the freshman first baseman. In MAC play, Tolliver hit .295 with three home runs and 12 RBI. A starter of all 22 conference games, the first baseman collected 18 hits while scoring seven runs to go along with a .984 fielding percentage. Tolliver's single to right center against Bowling Green (May 2) capped a dramatic comeback for EMU, giving the Eagles an 8-7 walk-off win.

The Eagles concluded the 2009 season with a 22-30 (8-14 MAC) record, just missing out on a MAC Tournament berth. EMU returns all but one player for the 2010 season while welcoming four newcomers to the team.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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