SIX TIGERS EARN CCAC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS INCLUDING PITCHER OF THE YEAR
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) recognized six Olivet Nazarene University softball players as All-Conference selections. The league announced its selections on Friday afternoon.
Kori Fricke becomes the first Tiger since 2019 to win the Pitcher of the Year award while also getting a first-team nod. Rounding out the first-team selections were Haley Dobson and Megan Mann. Emily Blucker, Matti Lanie, and Zoe Oshiro gathered second-team honors. The Tigers are tied with Saint Xavier with the most CCAC All-Conference selections with six.
A native of Manteno, Ill., Fricke has had a phenomenal season in the circle and at the batter's box. In 29 appearances, Fricke leads the conference with 17 wins and 152 innings worked, while standing in fourth with a 2.63 ERA. Additionally, Fricke went the distance 15 times, which is second in the conference, pitched three shutouts, and struck out 68 batters. At the plate, Fricke bats .262 with a team-leading nine home runs and a team third-best 35 RBIs. Additionally, she amassed 34 hits, scored 23 runs, and walked 13 times. In the field, Fricke records a .988 fielding percentage with 101 putouts and 70 assists. This the second-straight season Fricke earned All-Conference honors as she was recognized as a second-team selection in 2021.
A native of Beecher, Ill. Dobson has had a very strong season at the plate and behind the dish for the Tigers. Dobson leads the Tigers with a .395 batting average, 18 doubles, which is good for second in the CCAC, and is tied for the team-lead with 42 RBIs. The Tiger catcher also slugged five home runs, scored 37 runs, and posted a .579 slugging percentage. Dobson also leads the CCAC with 183 plate appearances and is second with 23 extra base hits and 97 total bases. Behind the plate, Dobson amasses a .926 fielding percentage with 169 putouts, 45 assists, and caught seven runners stealing. This is the second-straight season Dobson earned All-Conference honors as she was recognized as a second-team selection in 2021.
A native of Lansing, Mich., Mann had a breakout season for ONU. The Tiger infielder bats a team-third best .390 with a CCAC fourth-best seven home runs, and a CCAC third-best 42 RBIs. Additionally, Mann scored 39 runs, hit seven doubles, and gathered a CCAC third-best 92 total bases. Mann is also second in the league with 174 at-bats. In the field, Mann amassed 114 putouts and 78 assists. This the first All-Conference nod for Mann.
A native of Galesburg, Ill., Blucker has had a terrific season in the circle for the Tigers. In 27 appearances, the Tiger right-hander posted a record of 9-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 93 innings worked. Blucker also struck out a league second-best 93 batters against only 23 walks. Blucker also has saved a league-best five games. This is the first All-Conference nod for Blucker.
A native of Momence, Ill., Lanie has had a solid season for the Tigers. The Tiger lead-off hitter is fourth on the team with a .388 batting average and 47 hits. Lanie also notched six doubles, a homer, a triple, and 20 RBIs. She amasses an on-base percentage of .472, which is second on the team and a slugging percentage of .512. In the field, the Tiger outfielder carries a .922 fielding percentage with 45 putouts and two assists. This is the first All-Conference nod for Lanie.
A native of Pearl City, Hi., Oshiro has had a great freshman season for the Tigers. The Tiger infielder is second on the team with a .394 batting average and has notched 56 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, and homer. She slugs .521, drove-in 28 runs, and is third on the team with a .463 on-base percentage. In the field, Oshiro gathered 33 putouts and 68 assists. This is the first All-Conference nod for Oshiro.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Tigers (33-13-1) travels to Marion, Ind. to play the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan University in the Opening Round of the 2022 NAIA Softball National Championship on Monday, May 16th. Game time is slated for 1 p.m. CST. Please visit onutigers.com for live links and to purchase tickets.
--ONU—
*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu