Chase Named NCAC Player of the Year as Part of Five-Scot All-Conference Contingent

Chase Named NCAC Player of the Year as Part of Five-Scot All-Conference Contingent
May 10, 2017

Junior Maddy Chase became the first player in program history to earn North Coast Athletic Conference Softball Player of the Year, as five Fighting Scots were selected to this year's all-conference team, according to an announcement by the league office Wednesday afternoon.

Chase, who hit .500 (26-for-52) in league play to go along with 19 runs, nine RBI, two homers and a .565 on-base percentage, set single-season program records in hits (61) and runs (33) while posting the program's third-highest single-season batting average (.436). Nominated for the first-team utility position, Chase continued to show prowess from the circle as well, going 6-5 in 12 appearances with a 2.22 ERA in conference play. Defensively, Chase had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 16 league games. This season marks Chase's second career all-conference certificate.

Senior Jenna Kendall garnered her second all-conference accolade, this time nominated for the second-team utility spot. In conference play, Kendall batted in 17 RBI with a .356 average hit while knocking out a co-team-high four home runs to go along with eight runs scored. With a team-best 26 RBI on the year, the local standout capped her tenure with 75 RBI, the third-most in program history, while laying claim to sixth-place on the program's all-time hits list (126). In addition to being tied for third all-time with eight home runs, Kendall closed her career with 17 wins, five shutouts and 129 strikeouts – all top 10 totals in program history.

First-year Marina Roski, who set a single-season program record with 133 assists as the everyday shortstop, earned second-team all-NCAC honors. In 16 NCAC contests, Roski hit .345, batted in 10 RBI, scored seven times and recorded four doubles, as well as the game-winning home run in Wooster's 6-2 win over then-No. 23 Wittenberg, helping the Scots snap the Tigers' 14-game winning streak. In need of must-win sweep over Ohio Wesleyan University with tournament implications on the line, Roski went a combined 4-for-7 with an RBI, including a 3-for-4 showing in the nightcap.

Making her first career all-conference appearance is sophomore right fielder Chelsea Copley, who notably rocketed the game-winning two-run homer against Wittenberg in the opening game of the NCAC Tournament en route to honorable mention status. Next to Chase, Copley had the second-highest batting average at .357 while scoring eight times and knocking in three more. The sophomore tripled in the nightcap against Wittenberg and hit one of her four homers this season against Allegheny. The sophomore stands tied for seventh all-time in program history with six.

Senior Stephenie Little nabbed her third career all-conference award after becoming the first infielder in program history to earn first-team honors last season. With an honorable mention nod, the senior is the seventh player in program history with three yearly NCAC awards. In conference play, Little batted .296 with 11 RBI on top of a team-high five doubles and one homer. With a 2-for-4 performance against DePauw in the conference tournament, Little ended her career fourth all-time in both hits (132) and RBI (73).

In addition to making its first postseason appearance in five seasons, Wooster (20-23, 10-6 NCAC) turned in its highest regular-season and conference win totals since 2012. Meanwhile, the 10 conference wins marked a two-win improvement from last year.

Note: All-NCAC honors are based on statistics from conference games.