By Brian Kalish
June 1, 2012
Heather Woyak is crowned Valley Player of the Year. Photo by Brian Kalish.
Stevens Point– Heather Woyak, SPASH softball’s power-hitting outfielder, has been named the Wisconsin Valley Conference Player of the Year.
Woyak finished second in the Valley this year with a .611 batting average. Only DC Everest’s Alayna Krejci had a higher average (.622) in Valley play. Woyak also hit seven home runs in conference play and knocked 28 RBIs– both Valley-leading statistics.
“Heather Woyak has had a great season,” SPASH head coach Tom Drohner said. ”She’s got big time power and is a solid outfielder.”
When non-conference games are factored in, Woyak hit eight home runs and knocked in 36 runs. She also had seven doubles and three triples.
Joining Woyak on the Valley’s first team all conference are RBI machine Taylor Smola, clutch hitter Nicki Hauser, slapper Carly Lass and starting pitcher Angela Lange.
Said Drohner, “Taylor Smola has big time power. She broke single season RBI record at SPASH. It’s fun to watch her hit. Nicki Hauser is clutch performer who never gets rattled. She’s probably our best overall hitter and plays solid defense. Carly Lass has big time speed, she is our table setter, she creates havoc on the bases. Angela Lange has a had a solid season and we play our best with her in the circle.”
Wisconsin Rapids’ Mariah Richardson and Megan Melville also earned first team honors. Allison Brost and Shelby Steinke earned second team honors for Rapids.
SPASH players who made second team all conference include Shelby Fields, Katelyn Shuda and Parris Kurszewski. Melanie Leopold was tabbed with honorable mention honors.
Drohner had high praise for the second team and honorable mention players.
“Shelby Fields has had a great season and has been a great captain. Solid in the outfield and a tough out. Katelyn Shuda has big time speed with tremendous potential. She’s disciplined at the plate. Parris Kurszewski is a great defensive catcher that has had a solid offensive season. She’s a very good leader! Melanie Leopold is a rock solid infielder that has had numerous clutch hits. She’s our best infielder.”
