Four members of Tabor College?s 26-25 softball team have received All-KCAC recognition from conference coaches.
Two sophomores were named to the first team: third baseman Araselly Vargas and pitcher Marilee Burge.
Vargas recorded a batting average of .342 over 51 games this season. She tallied 53 hits?including 12 home runs and four doubles?and contributed a KCAC-high 56 RBIs, ranking her 23rd in NAIA Division I. She ranks 36th in home runs.
?I think (Araselly) grew up a lot (toward) the end, knowing that she needs to be more patient and not swing at pitches if they?re going to pitch around her,? coach Suzanne Unruh said. ?Her on-base percentage would?ve been a lot better obviously?and less strikeouts and more walks. Her power is very threatening to a lot of teams, so I think she?s just going to learn next year to be more patient.?
Burge went 17-11 on the mound this season with an ERA of 3.57 over 1762?3 innings. She struck out 123 batters. Burge ranks 18th in the NAIA Division I in saves (three), 23rd in innings pitched and 35th in wins.
?If (Marilee) keeps working hard and comes back even stronger, she has potential to be an All-American,? Unruh said. ?That would be my goal for her next year, and pitcher of the year.?
Two Bluejays received second-team recognition: junior outfielder Kellyn Holt and sophomore catcher Sara Vela.
Holt batted .301 over 51 games this season. She tallied 42 hits?including eight doubles, four triples and two home runs?and had 16 RBIs. She ranks 44th in Division I in triples.
?Kellyn came in this year as a transfer and led-off,? Unruh said. ?She was a huge threat for a lot of teams, too. They didn?t want her on base, and she had power. She could lay down a bunt and slap it, so they didn?t know what to do with her.?
Vela batted .311 over 44 games this season, tallying 38 hits?including 10 doubles, one triple and two home runs?and contributing 22 RBIs.
?Sara Vela was behind the plate,? Unruh said. ?She?s a great kid, too, and she?s going to do big things as well.?
Tabor went 2-2 in the KCAC tournament, ending the season with a 4-0 loss to Bethany.
