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

written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

Amanda Schumm	Natalie Wallace	Shelly Claxon	Tara Hines

   Four members of the Mount Vernon Nazarene College women’s fastpitch softball team were honored for their efforts this season when the National Christian College Athletic Association All-East Region Team was announced on Wednesday.

   Amanda Schumm, a freshman pitcher/designated hitter from Rockford, Ohio, was named to the 14-player team in her rookie campaign. The former All-Ohioan from Parkway High School has compiled a 5-7 overall record with a fine 1.71 earned run average. In 78 innings of work, she has struck out 53 batters and allowed just 19 earned runs. Schumm also leads the Lady Cougars in nearly every offensive category with 38 hits, six doubles, two triples, four home runs, 22 runs batted in, 24 runs scored, and a .404 batting average.

   Natalie Wallace, a sophomore outfielder from Newark, Ohio, joined Schumm on the All-Region Team. The former Utica High School standout has posted a .352 batting average with 32 hits, six doubles, one triple, one home run, 12 RBI, and 14 runs scored. She has also shown her versatility by playing in six different positions this season, but a recent knee injury may sideline her for the rest of the season.

   Shelly Claxon, a sophomore shortstop from Wheelersburg, Ohio, was also named to the All-Region Team. The former South Webster High School standout has posted a .329 batting average with 26 hits, three doubles, 10 RBI, and 11 runs scored despite playing most of the season with a shoulder injury. Claxon has also anchored the MVNC defense up the middle with 68 assists.

   Tara Hines, a sophomore pitcher from Marion, Ohio, rounds out the All-Region selections for the Lady Cougars. The former Marion Harding High School product was named to the All-Region Team for the second straight year as she has compiled an 8-9 overall record with a 2.55 ERA. In 109 2/3 innings of work, she has struck out a team-high 55 batters and issued just 17 walks.

   MVNC is currently 14-18 overall and the Lady Cougars will return to action on Thursday when the team travels to St. Vincent (PA) College for an American Mideast Conference doubleheader. Then, MVNC will host the NCCAA East Region Tournament this weekend with the third-seeded Lady Cougars taking on second-seeded Geneva (PA) College at 3:00 p.m. on Friday.