Northwestern University Athletics
Three Softball Players Named To NFCA All-Region Team
5/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 16, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Three Northwestern softball players were recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Wednesday afternoon as seniors Erin Jancic (Houston, Texas/Elsik Alief) and Gretchen Barnes (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and junior Lauren Schwendimann (Tustin, Calif./Foothill) were named to the Mideast All-Region Second Team. This is the second NFCA honor for both Jancic and Schwendimann, and the first for Barnes.
Jancic started all 43 games in left field for the Wildcats this season and led the squad in hitting (.347), runs (38), hits (50) and total bases (77). During the course of the year, she set four school records. With an RBI single against Belmont she became the Wildcats' all-time leader, and finished her career with 108.
Against 17th-ranked DePaul, Jancic doubled and then came around to score in the fourth inning, becoming the all-time leader in both categories in the process. Her 276 total career bases is 20 better than anyone else at NU. Jancic completes her four-year career at NU having played 196 of a possible 202 games and amassing the fourth-best career batting average at .326.
Barnes, who earned the award as the 'Cats designated player, started all 43 games for NU. Barnes tied the season home run mark with seven long balls on the year, which helped her break the career mark with 20 in her four years. Barnes also played a large role in the Wildcats' team-best 27 home runs for the year.
After the San Diego Tournament, where she was 10-for-18 with nine RBI, eight runs, two home runs and a .944 slugging percentage, Barnes was named the season's first Big Ten Player of the Week. She was also named to the All-Big Ten Second Team last week when the Conference announced its postseason awards. During her senior campaign, Barnes batted .289 with a team-high 35 RBI.
Schwendimann, who split her time as the team's starting pitcher and designated player, was given the award as a utility player. The right-hander made 31 appearances in the circle, posting a 16-6 record and 2.54 ERA. Her season was highlighted by a shutout victory over No. 8 California -- where she also singled in the winning run -- and a come-from-behind win over No. 12 Michigan.
Schwendimann also made 87 plate appearances, recording 22 hits. She hit four home runs, including a grand slam against Illinois-Chicago. Last week, Schwendimann was named to the Verizon Academic All-District V second team.
