FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
PANTHERS TAKE TOP HONORS ON ALL-INDEPENDENT SOFTBALL TEAMS
 
ORANGE, Calif. –  Chapman University softball players Erin Dudzinski and Jennifer Winford, who led the Panthers to a sixth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance this spring, headlined the 2008 All-Independent Softball teams named by the Association of Division III Independents (AD3I). Seven Panthers in all were selected to the All-Independents team.

Dudzinski, a junior outfielder, was named Independents Player of the Year after she led Chapman in nine offensive categories and was named the team’s MVP. She hit a team-high .409 with five home runs, 12 doubles, 27 RBI and 16 stolen bases. She also played error-free in centerfield (32 chances) and was named NFCA All-West Region first team for the second year in a row.    

Winford, was named the Pitcher of the Year after she went 15-6 with a 1.35 earned-run average and eight shutouts. The senior right-hander set career highs in wins, shutouts and complete games (17). She led the AD3I in ERA, wins and opponents batting average (.206). It’s the second such honor for Winford, who was the AD3I Pitcher of the Year in 2006 and also was named to the NFCA All-West Region team for the third time this season.

Joining Dudzinski and Winford on the first team are senior C Amanda Campbell (.431, 4 HR, 25 RBI) and senior IF Catherine Hall (.345, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 14 SB), as well as sophomore IF Melanie Villarroel (.342, 3 HR, 26 RBI, .967 FP) and sophomore RHP Katie Finley (10-5, 2.16 ERA, 120 K). Campbell led Chapman with a .431 batting average and added four home runs and 25 RBI and was also named to the NFCA All-West Region team earlier this month.

Sophomore OF Vanessa Goncalves (.329, 5 2B, 18 RBI) was named to the All-Independents second team.

Chapman head coach Janet Lloyd was also named Independents Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season, guiding the Panthers to a 27-11 record and NCAA playoff berth.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 21 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in seven sports in 2007-08. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis.

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