Softball

Catholic Graduate Nicole Loudin Named as a First-Team Division III All-American by Louisville Slugger/ NFCA

BEREA, OHIO - - Baldwin Wallace University sophomore catcher Nicole Loudin (Sheffield Lake/ Elyria Catholic) has been named as a first-team Division III All-American the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and in conjunction with its corporate partner, Louisville Slugger. Last night, in Salem, Virginia, Loudin, who was accompanied by her father, was honored at the NFCA honors dinner prior to today's first round of the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Overall, a total of forty-five student athletes, including five from the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), were named to the All-America teams.

Loudin topped the Yellow Jackets in batting average (.430), runs scored (26), base hits (43), home runs (11), runs batted-in (34), slugging average (.870), bases on balls drawn (20) and on-base average (521). After two seasons in the Brown & Gold, Loudin is batting .407 with a BW career-record 21 homers and 75 RBI. Loudin was a second-team All-American in 2003. Her 11 homers this spring and 41 RBI in 2003 are both single-season school records. In addition, Loudin is a two-time first-team All-OAC and All-Central Region pick and was the OAC "Rookie of the Year" in 2003.

"We are pleased that Nicole received first-team recognition," said veteran Yellow Jacket Head Coach Joe Yocabet. "She is very deserving of the honor. Nicole had a great season and has had two straight outstanding seasons. The best part of it all is that she still has two more years left."

In addition to being All-OAC, All-Central Region and All-American, Loudin, who carries a 3.6 grade point average in psychology, has already been tabbed as a first-team Academic All-OAC and first-team CoSIDA Academic All-District IV player and is currently a candidate for Academic All-America honors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact BW Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327, by FAX machine at 440-826-2329 or via e-mail at kruple@bw.edu.

Loudin is Joined by Four Muskingum All-Americans

Muskingum had an unprecedented four players named to the three NFCA All-America squads, including sophomore pitcher Erica Hoyt, junior outfielder April Rader, junior designated player Nicole Blubaugh and senior third baseman Shauna Jellison. Hoyt joined Loudin on the first team. Rader was named to the second-team, and both Blubaugh and Jellison were named to the third-team. Muskingum is currently representing BW at the Division III Softball World Series.

The OAC Well-Represented on the All-Central Region Squad

OAC Players Named to the NCAA All-Central Region Teams: FIRST TEAM - Erica Hoyt, Muskingum, Nicole Loudin, Baldwin Wallace, Shauna Jellison, Muskingum, April Rader, Muskingum and Nicole Blubaugh, Muskingum ... SECOND TEAM - Crystal Thomas, Mount Union, Jen Shay, Muskingum, Lindsay Bramhall, Muskingum, Ronda Barth, Mount Union, Danielle LoVaglio, John Carroll and Jackie Burris, Capital ... THIRD TEAM - Deana McKee, Capital, Erin Myers, Mount Union, Bridget Knazek, John Carroll.