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Three Blue Hawks have just recently been recognized by the NFCA as First and Second Team All-Americans. Junior third baseman Jody Lantz headlined the group being named to the First Team. Jody had a stellar year for the Hawks and had one of the most consistent seasons in school history. Lantz hit .485 and had team highs in hits (64) doubles (16), homeruns (11), and RBI’s (54). Jody led the Blue Hawks hitting barrage at the National Tournament in helping them to a third place finish. Also named to the NFCA All-American Team was utility player Nicole Marcoux and pitcher Sara Jane Webster. They were both second team selections. For the year Marcoux hit .366 with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 6 homeruns, 44 RBI’s, and 11 stolen bases. For the year Webster was 28-4 in the circle with a 1.74 ERA and had 331 strikeouts. “This is a great honor for them all. Jody had a banner year and it is great that she is recognized for it with the highest honor in softball. This is an award where every coach in the nation votes on and that is an indication on how every coach felt about her year. Marcoux and Webster also had a stellar year and I am extremely happy for them all.” Coach Fridley stated Hawks One Game Away From Title Game--Finish 3rd in the Nation
The Dickinson State Blue Hawks went on quite a ride at the NAIA National Tournament going 6-2 and finishing 3rd in the nation. The Blue Hawks won Pool C; beating Northwood (TX) 10-0, Missouri Valley 5-0, and Concordia (CA) 3-1; and spring boarded them into the Elite 8. The season didn’t finish with out excitement. In bracket play the Hawks opened up with 8-time National Champions Oklahoma City. In a game were the Hawks stormed out of the gates early, putting up 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning. The biggest hit came off the bat of Jody Lantz, a two run homerun that gave the Hawks the commanding 4-0 lead. The Blue Hawks fended off a furious Stars comeback in the top of the 7th to win 6-3.
In the second round of bracket play, DSU faced St. Gregory’s University (OK). The Hawks beat themselves up early, walking 8 and committing 4 errors in the game. Being down 7-1, the Hawks started a comeback of their own. They pushed the game to a 7-5 score and had the tying run at first in the top of the seventh, but could not find a way to even the score.
In the Blue Hawks first elimination game, they faced Notre Dame (OH). In a back and forth contest with a total of 6 lead changes, the Hawks held on with scoring three runs in the top of the seventh to win 9-6. Beating Notre Dame set up another battle with Oklahoma City. Once again the Blue Hawks raced out of the gates leading the Stars 7-1 with the big hit coming off a three run blast from Danielle Crawford. The Stars battled back like they did in the first contest and tied the score 7-7 to set up the most dramatic finish of the tournament. Nicole Marcoux led the bottom of the seventh off with a walk. Danielle Crawford laid down a picture perfect bunt to advance Marcoux to second. This set the table for one of the greatest games in DSU history. Kelly Jahn stepped up to the plate with one down and Marcoux on second. With a 1-1 count Jahn laced a line drive down the right field line to score Marcoux to cap off the exciting victory.
With the win over Oklahoma City they eliminated the 8 time National Champions from the tournament. The Hawks then faced another familiar face in St. Gregory’s with the winner advancing onto the National Championship game. The Cavilers jumped on the Hawks early 2-0 and never looked back. It was a pitching dual between two of the best pitchers in the nation in St. Gregory’s Sharon Bell and DSU’s Sara Jane Webster. The Hawks lone run came in the bottom of the seventh when Erika Arvizo hit a soaring blast over the left field fence. Dickinson State’s season came to an end losing to St. Gregory’s 3-1.
The Blue Hawks placed three individuals on the All-Tournament Team: Sara Jane Webster, Jody Lantz, and Kelly Jahn. They were three of the 15 members that were voted on by the tournament committee.
After finishing 3rd at the 2009 NAIA National Tournament, Dickinson State has made its way to the top of many team and individual category's that have been set in the tournaments past.
***Team Records*** 1. Total Bases-109 (All-Time tournament record) 2. Most RBI’s-44 (All-Time tournament record) 3. Most Runs-46 (Tournament Leaders) 4. Most Hits- 68 (Tournament Leaders) 5. Most HR’s-10 (Tournament Leaders) 6. Batters Struck Out-70 (2nd in Tournament)
***Individual Records*** 1. Nicole Marcoux—Runs Scored—8 (1st in Tournament) 2. Kelly Jahn—Hits—13 (1st in Tournament 3. Kelly Jahn & Jody Lantz—RBI’s—9 each (1st in Tournament) 4. Jody Lantz & Kyrstin Gemar—HR’s—3 each (1st in Tournament) 5. Jody Lantz—Total Bases—22 (1st in Tournament) Webster Named First Team All-American
Sara Jane Webster is the first Dickinson State softball player to ever be named to the All-American team twice. Webster was honored by the NAIA being named to the First Team. She is the second Blue Hawk Dickinson State history to be named to the top team, Dana Dunsmore being the first in 2007. Webster’s year was one like no other. She was the first player in conference history to be named DAC “Player and Pitcher of the Year”. For the year Sara Jane was 28-4 in the circle with a 1.74 ERA. Webster shattered her own DSU strikeout record for a year with 331. Webster also holds DSU’s single game strikeout record with 19 versus Black Hills State in opening round of this years conference tournament. For the majority of the year Sara Jane led the nation in strikeouts per 9 innings. She finished the year with striking out 16.86 batters per 9. Webster not only got it done in the circle. Sara Jane was also impressive at the plate. For the year she hit .381 with 41 runs scored, 13 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, and 37 RBI’s batting out of the two hole. Webster led her Blue Hawks to a perfect 18-0 in conference play and 42-5 overall record, which are both DSU’s best in history. The Blue Hawks finished the national tournament bringing home the third place trophy after going 6-2 at the tournament. Click here for More Articles >>
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