June 7, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State head softball coach Melinda Fischer announced Tuesday that seven Redbirds have been recognized by their teammates for their achievements during the 2005 season. Seniors Kate Stake and Mandy Garner led the list with two honors apiece.
Stake, a four-year starter at second base, was named Best Offensive Player and received MVP honors after helping her team to a 31-21 mark this season. The Buffalo Grove, Ill., native led the Redbirds in nearly every offensive category in 2005, and was recently awarded ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honors. Stake, the third ISU player to garner all-league honors in four straight seasons under Fischer's guidance, became just the fifth softball player to earn Academic All-America status.
Garner was one of ISU's leaders on the field and in the classroom, picking up the team's academic award after compiling a 3.69 cumulative GPA in Accounting. The Normal West product provided versatility to Fischer's team throughout her four years, playing five positions in 2004 alone. Despite dealing with a nagging back injury throughout most of the 2005 campaign, Garner came on late to help the `Birds to their first Missouri Valley Conference Tournament win since 2002.
Junior third baseman Tricia Gaither was recognized as the Best Defensive Player after leading the conference with 150 assists. The Stanford, Ill., native committed only six errors at the hot corner in 51 games this season. Sophomore pitcher Shannon Nicholson garnered the Most Improved distinction after bettering her numbers in the following categories: ERA, wins, appearances, starts, complete games, innings pitched and strikeouts. Freshmen Tiffany Prager and Katie Mielke shared Rookie of the Year honors.
Senior tri-captains Stake, Garner and Lauren Bierwirth were presented the Redbird Award. This honor, created by the coaching staff, recognizes a player, or players, who has made tremendous contributions to the softball program, both on and off the field.
The team also selected Gaither, Nicholson and senior Randi Patton as the captains for next season.
