May 7, 2009

AKRON, Ohio - Five Ohio softball players were named to the All-Mid-American Conference teams in voting released by the league's coaches Thursday afternoon at the conference tournament. Freshman Alexis Zambrana was named to both the All-MAC First Team and All-MAC Freshman teams, while Melissa Bonner, Deanna Hartsough, Brooke Morgart and Shalene Petrich all received All-MAC Second Team nods.

A native of Alvin, Texas, Zambrana led all first-year players and ranked third in the conference in hitting in MAC play. The smooth-fielding shortstop also led the conference in on base percentage during league action. Zambrana ranked second on the team in hitting at .376 and posted 44 hits and 21 RBIs. During the regular season, she also tallied 10 multiple-hit games and recorded a team-best 13-game hitting streak. Her selection marks the third year in a row an Ohio player has been named to the All-MAC First Team.

Bonner, a dual player from Kings Mills, Ohio, was one of three Ohio players listed on the second team. She led Ohio in hitting and RBIs during the regular season and tied for the league lead in doubles during conference play. In addition, Bonner ranked among the top 10 in the conference in hits (eighth), RBIs (seventh) and total bases (seventh). The sophomore was also named the MAC East Pitch of the Week for April 7.

Hartsough, a junior and Exercise Physiology major, enjoyed a career year in 2009. In addition to posting career bests in hitting, .336, home runs and RBIs, 23, the Santa Anta, Calif., was a steady performer throughout the season, tallying multiple hits on 11 occasions while committing just three errors in 45 games. Hartsough finished MAC play this year hitting .323 and especially frustrated opposing pitchers the last three weeks of MAC play, hitting at a .471 clip.

Playing her best softball of the season during conference play, Morgart, a Wayne, Ohio, native, hit at a .314 clip in league play, a full 43 points higher than her regular-season total. She especially excelled against the MAC's top two teams, where she wore out pitchers with a combined seven hits while hitting at a .636 clip. Morgart also tied for the team lead with four stolen bases during conference action and had eight multi-hit games during the regular season.

Picking up her second All-MAC recognition in three years, Petrich hit .344 with a career-best two home runs in conference games this season. The Chehalis, Wash., native and Health Services Administration major, led Ohio in runs scored and stolen bases during the regular season. She also had 11 multi-hit games, including seven in MAC play alone. Petrich currently ranks among Ohio's all-time leaders in stolen bases (fourth) and runs scored (eighth).

Voting for the all-conference teams was conducted by the league's coaches, with players being chosen by position. A total of 15 players were named to each of the two all-MAC teams, while 10 were selected for the all-freshman team.

For a complete listing of the All-MAC teams and individual awards, please visit www.mac-sports.com.