May 22, 2008

ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio softball team gathered one last time Thursday night for its annual year-end awards banquet.

Senior Courtney Waters (Eagle River, Alaska) was named Team MVP. Waters was named to the NFCA All-Great Lakes Region Second Team and was a first-team All-MAC selection. During the regular season, Waters led the Bobcats in five offensive categories, including setting a single-season record with 49 runs scored.

Freshman Melissa Bonner (King Mills, Ohio) and sophomore Shalene Petrich (Chehalis, Wash.) were named the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, respectively. Bonner finished the season leading the Bobcats with a .359 batting average and was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team and MAC All-Freshman Team. Petrich was also named to the MAC All-Tournament Team, while moving her way up Ohio's all-time steals list with a team-high 16 on the season. She is now fourth all-time with 45 career stolen bases.

Special awards were given to senior Alicia Catlette (Mogadore, Ohio) and freshman Kelly Krueger (Perrysburg, Ohio). Catlette was presented with the Wendy Fox Award, given to the player who exhibited the most strength and drive to succeed. Krueger received the Amy DeShay Award, given to the player that represented the epitome of a team player.

In addition, freshman Paige Kemezis (Hackensack, N.J.) was named the Most Improved Player. Kemezis played in 34 games and pinch ran in 18 games, pinch hit in eight games and played in six games as a catcher and four in the outfield.

Senior pitcher Michelle Sauter (Chehalis, Wash.) was presented with a plaque by head coach Jill Matyuch. Sauter wrapped up her Bobcat career as Ohio's all-time leader in career strikeouts, wins, and shutouts.

The 2008 Bobcats posted the most wins than any club in the last six years with a 29-26 record. They are also the first team to ever reach the championship game at the MAC Tournament. The `Cats won four straight games to reach the final round, defeating Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Bowling Green two times.

Other season notables:
- Senior outfielder Courtney Waters garnered second-team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region honors. Waters is the first Bobcat since 2004 to receive all-region recognition.
- Waters was named first-team All-MAC, senior Michelle Sauter was named second-team All-MAC, and freshmen Melissa Bonner and Emily Wethington were named to the All-MAC Freshman Team.