May 9, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
For the first time in Missouri Valley Conference softball history, a freshman was named the league's most valuable player and it was Illinois State's own Kara Nelson who was honored with the award at the 2007 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship banquet Wednesday night at Redbird Arena. Also an all-Valley first-team selection, Nelson was joined on the all-conference team by five of her teammates, including first baseman Amber Smith, outfielders Jessie Buker and Kelsey Warning and at large selections Stacy Birk and Shannon Nicholson.
Illinois State had more players named to the all-Valley teams than any other conference school, but more impressively, each of those six picks were first-team recognitions.
Nelson, the Redbirds' starting third baseman, sparked the ISU lineup from the No. 1 spot all season. The lefty slap hitter ended the 2007 regular season batting at a .412 clip, collecting 82 hits in 199 at bats, including 13 doubles, four triples and three home runs. Nelson scored 57 runs and drove in 21 RBI, while boasting a slugging percentage of .563 and an on-base tally of .449. A native of Moline, Ill., Nelson led the league in batting average, runs scored and hits.
Redbird head coach Melinda Fischer praised Nelson, believing that she deserved the prestigious award in just her first year in the Valley.
"This is great for Kara, as well as for our program," said Fischer. "Watching Kara in high school, she was mainly a second baseman and that makes her even more deserving of this award because she had to learn a new position. Throughout her high school career, she started to gain more power and then working with our hitting coach Tina (Kramos), she has developed the ability to hit the ball harder than when she came in. That, combined with her slapping ability just really poses a threat for the opponents. Kara has worked hard and she had done everything she needed to do to make the transition from summer and high school ball to Division I softball."
Smith follows Nelson in offensive numbers, recording a .343 batting average in the 2007 regular-season. The Redbird first baseman has started in all 57 games, gathering 58 hits and 40 RBI. Smith, a sophomore, has crushed 15 home runs this season and became the ISU career home runs leader with her 32 long balls in just two years. Smith has now been named to the MVC first-team twice in her career, after earning Valley Rookie of the Year honors in 2006.
"Last year, Amber was the league's Newcomer of the Year but mainly was our designated player and part-time first baseman," said Fischer. "Again, she learned the position from scratch at first base and has done a tremendous job there for us this season. She has started to do what we thought she could do offensively on a consistent basis."
While nearly flawless in the outfield with just nine errors between them through 57 games, Buker and Warning have turned in impressive numbers at the plate as well. The Redbirds' starting left fielder, Buker owns a .329 batting average and has smacked 16 homers in 2007 to lead the team. Her 48 RBI are second to Warning's 53, but with 116 total bases and a .682 slugging percentage, Buker leads the `Birds. Warning, the Redbird arm in right field, broke the ISU single-season RBI total last weekend and with 53 total on the year, needs just three more to set the Valley single-season mark. Warning's .304 batting average is anchored by 51 hits, including eight doubles and 15 long balls. This year's first-team nods were the first for both Buker and Warning.
"Kelsey and Jessie had great years in the outfield. Last year coming in as a junior college transfer, Kelsey brought her defensive ability and hit well in terms of production, but didn't have the average. I think that this year we are getting the total game out of her. Jessie is our true utility player. I would put her in any position on the field. Jessie has made a tremendous adjustment to the outfield and defensively has shown her capabilities, along with her abilities at the plate."
The pitching duo of Birk and Nicholson have led Illinois State in the circle for the past four years. Birk, a three-time all-MVC first team selection, is a force for the `Birds on both sides of the ball. The right-handed senior has earned an 19-8 overall record, with half of those decisions coming in
conference play. Birk owns a 2.25 ERA, pitching 187.0 innings and striking out 150 batters. Opposing batters are hitting just .240 against Birk and the Huntington Beach, Calif., native has appeared in 44 games this season. Birk's name also appears all over the ISU career pitching records, ranking No. 1 in wins, saves, appearances, games started and shutouts.
Nicholson's 1.49 ERA leads the Illinois State pitchers and her record of 20-5 includes eight Valley wins. The senior hurler has pitched since March 28 with a torn ACL, but Nicholson's statistics haven't suffered. She has appeared in 33 games, starting 24 of those contests. Nicholson has pitched 168.2 innings, giving up 36 earned runs and striking out 107 batters. The native of Chatham, Ill., scattered just 78 hits in conference play.
"Having six players of our regular 10 in the rotation named to the first team is a tremendous honor for the players and our team," continued Fischer. "That doesn't eliminate the starters that weren't recognized because they certainly have been a big part in what we're trying to do in our program. All six of those players have had outstanding seasons. Stacy and Shannon have been huge for us since their freshman year and we have relied on them to do what they do best, pitch in that circle."
With the No. 2 seed in the 2007 State Farm MVC Championship, Illinois State got first and second round byes and will not play until 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 11. The Redbirds will take on either No. 3 Southern Illinois, No. 6 Missouri State or No. 7 Bradley at Redbird Softball Complex.
