Nine softball players earn 2006 NFCA Scholar-Athlete awards

Nine Olivet College softball players -- Erica Anderson (Casnovia/Kent City), Cassie Bowerman (Quincy), Corie Greene (Brown City), Nicole Gregory (Grand Rapids/West Michigan Catholic), Kacie Rosecrants (Parma/Western), Jessica Schmansky (Clarkston/Waterford Our Lady of Lakes), Katelan Schoen (Climax/Climax-Scotts), Katie Walker (Lansing/Everett) and Heidi Wear (Hastings/Wayland) have earned the 2006 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar-Athlete awards. The award was presented to student-athletes, who maintained a 3.5 or better grade point average for the 2005-06 academic year.

Anderson was the ace of the Comets' pitching staff, compiling a 13-6 record and 2.37 ERA in 121 and one-third innings. She struck out 87 and walked only 29 batters. A cum laude graduate, Anderson is enrolled at the Michigan State University School of Veterinary Science.

Greene made nine appearances in the circle, posting a 2-0 record and 3.05 ERA in 20 and two-thirds innings. Rosecrants led Olivet with a .371 batting average, 39 hits, 21 runs scored, nine doubles and 54 total bases. Schmansky, Schoen and Walker finished the season with batting averages of .254, .312 and .342, respectively. Wear ranked second on the team in hitting at .361. Bowerman and Gregory saw most of their playing time on the junior varsity team.

The Comets open the 2007 season March 3 when they participate in the Gene Cusic Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.