May 8, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Freshman infielder Samantha Howe of the Green Bay softball team was selected as a member of the Horizon League all-newcomer team. All awards were voted on by the Horizon League's head coaches.

Howe, a native of Union Grove, Wis., started 18 games for the Phoenix this season and led the team with a .275 batting average. She was especially successful against Horizon League opponents, batting an impressive .450 with a .476 on-base percentage. In conference play, she recorded nine hits in eight games, driving in three runs. Howe hit her first career home run on May 4 in a home loss to Youngstown State.

The Green Bay softball team (10-23, 4-9) has finished its regular season and has earned the No. 6 seed for the Horizon League Softball Tournament. The Phoenix will open the event today against seventh-seeded Butler (16-27, 5-12). Game time is set for 9 a.m. at the Loyola Softball Park in Chicago.

First-Team All-League
Amy Hyerczyk, Sr., 1B, Butler
Christa Coppus, Jr., SS, Cleveland State
Amanda Macenko, So., RHP, Cleveland State
Amy Solava, So., RHP, Loyola
Sarah Clynes, Jr., INF, UIC
Brooke Frydendall, So., INF, UIC
Andrea Zappia, Sr., RHP, Valparaiso
Tracy Korth, Sr., OF, Valparaiso
Kristen Bradshaw, So., INF, Wright State
Jamie Perkins, So. OF, Wright State
Jherica Williams, Sr., C, Wright State
McKenzie Bedra, Sr., UTL, Youngstown State

Second-Team All-League
Whitney Willard, Sr., OF, Cleveland State
Danielle Young, Jr., OF, Cleveland State
Courtney Gill, So., C, Detroit
Jacqueline Nortman, Jr., OF, Detroit
Ellen Kresl, So., OF, Loyola
Angie Funston, So., INF, Loyola
Nora Schober, Sr., OF, Loyola
Ashlee Ackerman, Sr., OF, UIC
Melissa Marinacci, Jr., INF, UIC
Shannon Robinson, Sr., C, Valparaiso
Justine Shilt, Fr., INF, Wright State
Sharon Palma, So., LHP, Wright State

All-Newcomer Team
Katelyn Ciminelli, Fr., 1B, Cleveland State
Amy Powell, Fr., C, Cleveland State
Breanna Sesoko, Fr., C, Detroit
Samantha Howe, Fr., INF, Green Bay
Haley Ambrosch, Fr., INF, Loyola
Alicia Abbott, Fr., 1B, UIC
Sharon Palma, So., LHP, Wright State
Justine Shilt, Fr., INF, Wright State
Louie Haney, Fr., OF, Wright State
Rochelle Vanyi, Fr., INF, Youngstown State

Player of the Year
Jherica Williams, Sr., C, Wright State

Newcomer of the Year
Alicia Abbott, Fr., 1B, UIC

Pitcher of the Year
Amanda Macenko, So., RHP, Cleveland State

Co-Coach of the Year
Angie Nicholson, Cleveland State
Randy Schneider, Valparaiso