Central Michigan University Athletics
Nominees Announced for CMU Softball Silver Anniversary Team
Sept. 11, 2003
A total of 35 nominees are up for the CMU Softball Silver Anniversary Team, honoring the top players from the first 25 years of the program. Following are thumbnail sketches of the those players who appear on the ballot. Fans are encouraged to fill out a ballot on cmuchippewas.com. Only one ballot per person.
Eli Barnes (OF) -- 1996-99
A three-time first team All-MAC pick, the only year Barnes did not earn the honor was when she stepped behind the plate as catcher to fill a need for the team. Her 125 career RBI are a CMU record and she shares the career home run mark of 16 with Cathy Wylie. Barnes' 235 career games are the most played by anyone in the Maroon and Gold. The outfielder blasted a CMU record eight home runs in 1999 while driving in 43 runs, second most in CMU history.
Michelle Brander (DP/UTL) -- 2000-03
Brander was named the 2003 MAC "Player of the Year" and a first team All-MAC selection as a senior. She was named second team All-MAC twice. Her 34 RBI in 2003 rank ninth on the CMU season chart and her 13 career home runs tie for fourth on the career chart. She blasted six home runs in 2003 to tie for third on the single season list. Her .394 batting average in 2003 was third best in CMU history.
Beth Bull (2B) -- 1987-90
Bull was CMU's first four-time All-MAC selection. She was named second team All-America in 1989 and third team in 1990. She holds CMU career record for triples (23), stands tied for second in hits (240), ranks third in runs (134) and fourth in batting average (.336). Bull joined the Chippewa Hall of Fame in 2003. Beth was one of the fastest players to play for CMU.
Kim Burke (2B) -- 1998-01
A four-time All-MAC selection, Burke was a first team pick in 2000 and second team her other three seasons. Her 36 career doubles tie for fourth in the CMU record book. Kim was an intense player who played with a competitive edge.
Leslie Grimes (C) -- 1989-92
A two-time All-MAC performer, Grimes holds the Chippewa single season RBI record of 44 in 1991. Her 96 career RBI rank fifth in CMU annals. She was second on the team in hitting in 1992 with a .333 average and a team-high 10 doubles. Leslie had a great deal of Chippewa Pride.
Cathy Heator (3B) -- 1981-82
A first team All-America pick in 1982, Heator hit .295 that year with six doubles, two triples and two home runs. She tallied 22 RBI and walked a team-high 22 times in helping CMU to the AIAW national championships. Cathy is regarded as one of the top defensive infielders in CMU history with a quick release and a gun for an arm. Heator hit .275 for her career.
Cheryl Hein (OF) 1986-89
A two-time All-MAC pick, Hein played in 229 career games, second most in Chippewa history. Her 114 runs tie for fifth on CMU's career chart and her 32 doubles tie for ninth. Cheryl was a good athlete who had power as well as consistency. She was a perfectionist in proper technique of hitting, working to improve it with each repetition.
Jacquie Joseph (OF/DP) -- 1982-85
A two-time All-MAC performer, Joseph led the Chippewas in hitting in back-to-back seasons in 1984 and '85. When Jacquie hurt her arm, she contributed with her stick as a designated player. She love the game and was a consistent outfielder.
Stacy Kennelly (P) -- 1993-96
A two-time All-MAC pick, Kennelly handled a majority of the pitching duties in the mid-90s. Her 51 career wins rank sixth and she also appears on the charts for career saves (five), complete games (61) and innings pitched (553.0). She notched 19 wins in 1996.
Tina Kinney (P) -- 1997-00
A threat in the circle and at the plate, Kinney racked up numerous honors in her career. The four-time first team All-MAC player was a two-time MAC "Player of the Year" in 1998 and 2000. She was named MAC tournament MVP in 1999 and MAC "Freshman of the Year" in 1997. Kinney's 77 career pitching victories are currently the tops all-time, as are her 82 complete games and 744.1 innings pitched. She was the first CMU pitcher to strike out 500 batters. She threw a no-hitter in the 1999 MAC tournament against Akron. Kinney also hit 11 career home runs and drove in 90 career runs to rank among the top seven in each category at CMU.
Judy Koens (P) -- 1982-84
The career ERA record holder at 0.60, Koens posted a 0.20 ERA in 1982 and a 0.23 mark in 1984 -- the top two single seasons in CMU history. A first-team All-MAC pick in 1984, Koens fanned 303 batters in her career and won nearly 75 percent of her games in the circle with a 45-15-1 record.
Jill LeBourdais (DP/UTL) -- 1993-96
Another dual threat in the circle and at the plate, LeBourdais tallied 24 career victories. She was first team All-MAC and all-region in 1996 after going 7-5 and leading the team with a .331 batting average, including 16 extra base hits. Jill was a team player who wanted the best for CMU softball.
Kathy Leitke (SS) -- 1983-84
A junior college transfer from Lake Michigan Community College, Kathy hit .217 in 1983 and .257 in 1984. Leitke was an outstanding defensive player who was consistent and had good range.
Becky Manson (SS) -- 1999-02
A four-year leadoff hitter, Manson made things happen for CMU. A three-time first team All-MAC selection, the shortstop was honored as the 1999 MAC "Freshman of the Year." She holds the CMU career record for at-bats with 720 and is tied for second on the doubles chart with 42. She also ranks third in career stolen bases (67) and sixth in career batting average (.333). Her 18 doubles in 2002 are a single season record. The left-handed hitting Manson was an excellent baserunner.
Ann Mattson (OF) -- 1980-83
A first-team All-MAC and all-region pick in 1983, Mattson ranks among the CMU season and career leaders in triples. She tallied 13 in her career, including eight in 1982. Ann had speed, a good arm, and the ability to make the big catch.
Kim McCormick (2B) -- 1980-82
McCormick's batting average was best with the game on the line. She was a tough competitor and a member of the 1982 team that reached the AIAW nationals. McCormick hit .260 in 1981 with four homers and 15 RBI.
Heidi McLane (P) -- 1985-88
McLane's 55 career victories rank fourth in CMU history and her four saves are tied for eighth. She threw 65 complete games in her career and 572.1 innings. McLane tossed a no-hitter against Nebraska in 1987. She was one of the key pitchers on the 1987 World Series team.
Beth Osterland (P) -- 1991-94
One of three pitchers in CMU history with more than one no-hitter, Osterland tossed a pair of no-no's eight days apart during the 1994 season. The hurler was named first team All-MAC in 1994. Her 611.0 career innings pitched are second most in CMU history and her 52 victories rank fifth. She struck out 291 batters in her career and her five saves in 1991 are a single-season record.
Linda Pagett (P) -- 1979-82
A first team All-America pick in 1982, Pagett was one of the most dominating pitchers in CMU history. She sported a career ERA of 0.74 and a career winning percentage of .758 (50-16). She threw five career no-hitters and holds the CMU record for career shutouts at 33. She once fired 66 consecutive scoreless innings. Of her 22 wins in 1982, 17 were shutouts. Her 486 career Ks rank third in CMU annals. She was inducted into CMU's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Lisa Poskey (SS) -- 1994-97
The 1994 MAC "Freshman of the Year," Poskey earned first team all-region honors in 1997, along with second team All-MAC laurels. Her 93 career RBI rank fifth on CMU's charts. One of the most underrated players, Poskey played with heart when she donned a Chippewa uniform. She was consistent and intense.
Amber Puchalski (P) -- 2001-04
Puchalski made a splash in 2001 when she was named the MAC "Pitcher of the Year" and "Freshman of the Year." She tossed a CMU career record six no-hitters in her rookie campaign and added another one as a sophomore. With one year of eligibility remaining, Puchalski holds CMU's career record for strikeouts with 726 and she will possibly break the MAC record of 842. Her 26 wins in 2001 are the most in school history and her strikeout totals from her first three seasons all rank in the top four in CMU history.
Lynn Putnam (OF) -- 1979-82
A CMU Hall of Fame inductee in 1998, Putnam earned first team all-region honors in 1982 in helping CMU to a MAC title and AIAW nationals appearance. The outfielder was the first CMU player to hit two homers in a single game. Her 18 career triples still rank second in the CMU record book and her 10 homers are seventh. She tallied a career batting average of .334 (fifth best in school history) to go along with 62 stolen bases (fourth best). Putnam had a great jump on the ball and was one of the fastest Chippewas ever. She was a threat on offense with her power and speed.
Amy Repicky (OF) -- 1993-96
This speedy left-handed slapper could reach base on a bunt or a slap. She picked up 17 triples in her career, third best in CMU history. She was a two-time first team All-MAC pick in 1995 and '96 and a first team all-region pick in 1995. Her number of triples indicate that she could slap for power as well as for a base hit.
Hope Robertshaw (3B) -- 1998-01
Possibly one of the top clutch performers of the first 25 years, Robertshaw was a two-time first team All-MAC pick and once was tabbed second team All-MAC. She was the MAC tournament MVP in 2000 and '01. A great defensive player, Robertshaw also holds the CMU career record for doubles (43) and ranks fourth in RBI (97). Hope was a leader on the field who made some awesome plays to save no-hitters.
Brenda Schrader (OF) -- 1993-94
The 1994 MAC "Player of the Year" was a two-time first team All-MAC selection after transferring from Illinois Central Community College. She led the MAC in 1994 with a .389 batting average and her two-year mark of .362 ranks as second on the CMU career chart. Brenda loved the game and gave it her most when she stepped on to the field.
Jen Skuta (OF) -- 1999-02
A two-time first team All-MAC pick, Skuta is third on the CMU career RBI list with 98, tied for fourth in career doubles with 36 and ranks fourth on the career homers list with 13. She belted seven homers and drove in 38 runs in 2002 for one of the best offensive seasons in Chippewa history. She was also a second team Academic All-America selection in 2002, becoming the highest honoree in CMU softball history.
Pam Stanley (OF) -- 1989-92
CMU's lone three-time All-America selection, Stanley made the first team in 1991 and second team in both 1990 and '92. The two-time "MAC Player of the Year" (1991 and '92) was a four-time first team All-MAC pick. She holds the CMU career batting average record at .377, along with the career marks for runs (143), hits (255) and stolen bases (112). Her .404 average in 1991 is the top single season in CMU history. Stanley was inducted into CMU's Hall of Fame in 2002. Pam had the ability to get a great jump on the ball defensively and as a baserunner offensively. A very consistent player, Stanley was one of the fastest players in CMU history.
Jo Ann Tetlock (C) -- 1980-83
Much of CMU's pitching success during the early 80s can be contributed to the pitch-calling of catcher Jo Ann Tetlock. Jo Ann was known for her defense and leadership. She was an intense player who loved the game. She was the quarterback of the team.
Dawn Thompson (3B) -- 1996-98
After coming to CMU as a walk-on, Thompson earned second team All-MAC honors in 1998 and was the inaugural honoree of the Beth Pawlak Award. A three-year starter, Thompson was an overachiever and a team leader. She was a hard-nosed player who got better every year.
Kris Tipmore (C) -- 1985-88
A second-team All-America selection in 1988, Tipmore also made the all-tournament team at the College World Series in 1987. The catcher hit .400 in 1998 with a then MAC-record 74 hits and 42 runs scored. Tipmore did the little things for the team offensively, like mastering the short game with bunts and slaps. An excellent defensive catcher, Kris could also hit for power. She was inducted into the CMU Hall of Fame in 2000.
Cathy Troost (1B) -- 1980-81
A junior college transfer, Cathy was one of the top hitters during the beginning years of CMU softball. Troost led the team with a .324 average in 1981, including eight doubles, two homers and 12 RBI. She hit .241 in 1980. Cathy was an intense player and one of the few lefties who have played at first base at CMU.
Linda Webb (SS) -- 1986-88
A first team All-MAC selection in 1987, Webb hit 27 doubles in three seasons and drove in 65 runs. Linda joined the Chippewas after a junior college career. Webb was known for her gutsy play at shortstop. An excellent defensive player who gave up her body for the team, she had the most hip pointers of any Chippewa. This intense competitor was an emotional leader for the team.
Karen Wongstrom (P) -- 1985-87
A three-time first team All-MAC selection, Wongstrom holds the top winning percentage in CMU history at .811 (60-14). Her 0.75 career ERA and 336 career Ks both rank fourth. She tallied 31 career shutouts (third in CMU history) and was credited with one no-hitter. She won 22 games in 1986. A lefty with a great rise ball, Wongstrom was key in CMU's run to the 1987 World Series.
Cathy Wylie (1B) -- 1985-88
Possibly the top power hitter in Chippewa annals, Wylie is tied for the career home runs record with 16 and she ranks second on the RBI list with 120. A three-time first team All-MAC pick, Wylie ranks third on CMU's career batting average chart with a .338 mark. In 1988, she tallied 38 RBI, 14 doubles, a .385 batting average, and five home runs which all still rank on the single season charts.
Jenelle Zook (P) -- 1981-84
Another dominating pitcher from the early 80s, Zook was a first team All-MAC pick in 1983. Her 13-2 record in 1982 is a CMU single season record for winning percentage at .867 and her .063 ERA in 1984 and 0.65 ERA in 1982 both rank among the top five single season marks. Her career ERA of 0.72 stands second on the Chippewa charts. She tossed 24 shutouts and one no-hitter.