SIX BULLDOGS EARN ALL-GLIAC SOFTBALL HONORS

*2004 All-GLIAC Release* PDF

Nicki Merchant was among two Diamond Dawgs to receive first-team All-GLIAC honors.

Six Ferris State softball players were among the athletes honored on the 2004 All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Teams, which the conference office announced Wednesday (May 5).

Seniors Nicki Merchant (Wayland) and Dana Conklin (Wyoming/Rogers) both received first-team accolades while senior designated player Danielle Maxwell (Bay City/Western) and sophomore outfielder Emily McLean (Rogers City) were second-team honorees. A pair of juniors, pitcher Rachel Chartier (Marquette) and outfielder Jessie Wright (Sand Lake/Tri-County) earned honorable mention recognition.

A second-team all-conference pick a season ago, Merchant paced the Bulldogs this season in base hits with a career-high 53 total along with runs scored (23), doubles (12), home runs (three) and RBIs (25) in 46 contests. The first baseman also placed second on the team with a career-high .340 batting average this spring to go with a team-leading and career-best 13 multiple hit contests. Merchant closed out her four-year career ranking second among Ferris' all-time leaders in home runs (14), fourth in doubles (36), sixth in base hits (175), seventh in RBIs (83) and tied for 13th in batting average (.293).

Conklin turned in her most productive season by batting .301 with 40 hits and 20 runs scored, all career highs, in 46 games. The third baseman also posted seven doubles, one home run and 18 RBIs this season while registering eight multi-hit games. She wrapped up a four-year career by placing tied for fifth in doubles (29), 12th in base hits (135) and 16th in RBIs (56). Conklin was a honorable mention selection in 2003 after garnering second-team plaudits for the previous campaign.

Dana Conklin was honored with her third All-GLIAC honor.

Maxwell was named All-GLIAC for the first time in her two-year Diamond Dawg career. This year, she lead the team in hitting with a career-best .422 average in 38 outings which represented a FSU single-season record. Maxwell, who batted a team-high .438 in conference action, totaled 26 more base hits than in a season ago (17 hits in 2003). She compiled nine doubles, five triples, 20 RBIs, nine multi-hit games, and a squad-leading seven multiple-RBI contests, all career bests. Her .569 slugging percentage and .454 on-base percentage were also team highs.

Joining Maxwell on the 12-member second-team was Emily McLean, who enjoyed the best season of her career. A participant in 38 games, McLean set career season bests in batting average (.308), hits (36), runs scored (15), doubles (eight), triples (two) and RBIs (19). She tied for team runner up honors in multiple hit games (10) while tying for third in multi-RBI contest performances (five).

Chartier and Wright both received all-league honors for the first time. Chartier paced the pitching staff with a career-best 11-7 record and a 1.79 earned run average (ERA) in 141 innings. She also notched team highs in strikeouts (46) and complete games (12) in 27 appearances. Wright batted .315 with a career-high 41 hits in 40 contests. Her six doubles matched her career best while her two triples, nine RBIs and 21 runs scored were career tops. Wright hit safely in 27 of 38 games played in this season.

Ferris State finished the 2004 season at 24-21-1 overall with a third-place 14-6 conference ledger. The Diamond Dawgs concluded the campaign by winning 12 of its final 16 contests, including nine of the last 12.

Grand Valley State's Jennifer Mackson was named GLIAC PLayer of the Year for the third consecutive season while her head coach Doug Woods was tabbed Coach of the Year. Sarah Ytsma of Wayne State was chosen as the GLIAC's Freshman of the Year.