"Two Lady Cougars Named to NCCAA All-Region Team"

written by Dave Parsons, Assistant Sports Information Director

Shelly Aldrich	Tara Hines

   Two members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene College women's fastpitch softball team were honored along with their coach when the 1998 National Christian College Athletic Association All-East Region team was announced on Friday.

   Shelly Aldrich, a sophomore shortstop from Marion, Ohio, was selected to the All-Region team for the second straight year. Aldrich currently leads the Lady Cougars in nearly every offensive category while also anchoring the MVNC defense at her shortstop position.

   Aldrich is batting .345 with seven doubles, two triples, one home run, 18 runs batted in, and 19 runs scored. She has also turned a team-high eight doubleplays and has committed just eight errors in 142 fielding chances.

   Tara Hines, a freshman pitcher from Marion, Ohio, joined her former Marion Harding High School teammate on the All-Region team. The righthander has posted a 10-6 record with a 2.70 earned run average, three shutouts, and one no-hitter in her first collegiate season.

   Hines leads the team with 10 victories, 15 complete games, and 35 strikeouts. She has also posted a .339 batting average with six doubles, one triple, 10 runs scored, and 15 runs batted in.

   MVNC head coach Jeana Howald was also chosen as the 1998 NCCAA East Region Coach of the Year by her fellow coaches. Howald has guided the relatively young Lady Cougars to a 16-13 overall record so far.