Five Falcons Named to All-WIAC Teams

May 7, 2008

Five Falcons were named to 2008 All-WIAC softball teams.

Third baseman Emily Howlett (Sr., Eagan, Minn.), first baseman Keri Feller (Sr., Austin, Minn.) and shortstop Mindy Rudiger (Jr., Menomonie, Wis.) were all named to the first team. Right-handed pitcher Ashley Bertrand (Sr., St. Paul, Minn. Como Park HS) earned honorable mention. Second baseman Cassie Peterson (Jr., New Richmond, Wis.) was named to the All-Sportsmanship team. The team is selected in a vote by the league coaches.

"I am very pleased that Emily, Keri, Mindy, Ashley and Cassie were recognized for these awards," said Falcon Head Coach Jody Gabriel. "They are all very deserving of the honor. They worked hard this season and were supported by a great team. Ashley made a great recovery from a serious injury last season and came back even stronger for her final season."

Howlett, who was named to the first team in 2006 and 2007, led the Falcons in hitting with a .500 average. She was 69-138 at the plate. She led the Falcons in hits, runs (47), doubles (17), triples (2) and RBI (52). She also hit eight homers and had a .826 slugging percentage. She finished with a .972 fielding percentage. She set single season records in six categories including batting average, RBI, doubles, hits, runs scored and slugging percentage. Howlett holds career records for doubles (52) and batting average (.439). Her .500 average ties for the best average in a single season in the WIAC. Howlett led the WIAC in batting average, total bases, slugging percentage, doubles, RBI and hits. She played and started all 42 games for the Falcons.

Feller finished second in hitting with a .387 average. She was 53-137 at the plate. She had 11 doubles and finished second on the team with 10 homers. She was also second in RBI with 47. She scored 13 runs and had a .686 slugging percentage. She led all Falcon starters with a .996 fielding percentage. She made just one error in 242 chances. She played and started all 42 games. Feller finished fifth in homers and second in RBI in the WIAC.

Rudiger, who was named to the first team in 2007 and earned honorable mention in 2006, was third on the team with a .336 average. She scored 45 runs, second on the team, and had 11 doubles and one triple. Rudiger led the Falcons with 11 home runs and already holds the career home run record (26). She finished with 28 RBI and had a .679 slugging percentage. She finished the year with a .977 fielding percentage. She also played and started all 42 games. She also holds the school record for career walks (80). Rudiger finished second in homers and third in walks and runs scored in the WIAC.

Bertrand had an 18-6 record with a 2.53 ERA. In 155 innings she struck out a season-high record 217 batters. She walked only 60. She appeared in 32 games and started 28 times. She had 14 complete games and six shutouts. The 18 wins and six shutouts are single season records. Opponents hit .214 against her. She holds school career records for games started (112), runs per game (1.84), strikeouts (572) and wins (56). Bertrand led the WIAC in innings pitched, strike outs, appearances, game started and she was second in wins.

Peterson hit .214 and played in 35 games, starting 29. The slap hitter had four RBI and scored nine runs. She finished the season with a .941 fielding percentage. The All-Sportsmanship team is for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. The team included one member from each school as selected by that school.

The Falcons finished 29-13 overall and won a school-record 15 straight games. They finished 8-8 in WIAC play and finished second in the conference tournament. UWRF is the only team to beat the No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 seeds in WIAC tournament play. The Falcons entered the tourney as the No. 5 seed.

2008 Falcon Schedule
2008 Falcon Statistics