FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: April 30, 2008
CONTACT: Jeff Duggan, SID
PHONE: (303) 273-3095

Van Lingen, Van Wetzinga named RMAC Freshman, Coach of the Year;
CSM to host 2008 RMAC Softball Tournament

GOLDEN, Colo. - Seven student-athletes from Colorado School of Mines have been named to the 2008 All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference softball teams, as announced today by the RMAC. Furthermore, CSM's Annie Van Wetzinga has been selected as the 2008 RMAC Softball Coach of the Year.

Sarah Van Lingen, a 5'4" redshirt freshman catcher from Aurora, Colo. (Dakota Ridge H.S.), has been selected as the 2008 RMAC Freshman of the Year. One of three Orediggers to start all 54 games during the regular season, Van Lingen hit .398 with 12 HR and 53 runs scored. Also a Second Team All-RMAC pick, Van Lingen led CSM in doubles (19) and RBI (57) during the regular season. Van Lingen, who also earned First Team Academic All-RMAC recognition this spring, compiled a .998 fielding % during the regular season (one error in 238 total chances).

Earning First Team All-RMAC honors for Mines were Gina Ross and Katie Kocman. Ross, a 5'6" senior first baseman from Castle Rock, Colo. (Douglas County H.S.), hit .361 during the regular season and led Mines in HR (14) and slugging % (.756). Kocman, a 6'0" junior right-handed pitcher / infielder who hails from Littleton, Colo. (Columbine H.S.), led CSM in batting average (.433) and drove in a team-second-best 53 runs during the regular season. On the mound, Kocman went 15-7 with a 3.75 ERA, nine complete games, one shutout and one save in 27 total appearances (114.0 IP). Kocman earned First Team All-RMAC accolades as a sophomore in 2007 and Honorable Mention All-RMAC laurels following her freshman campaign in 2006.

Joining Van Lingen on the Second Team All-RMAC squad were Melissa Stratton and Kaleigh Starr. A 5'6" senior shortstop from Aurora, Colo. (Smoky Hill H.S.), Stratton hit .430 with 18 doubles and 11 stolen bases while starting all 54 regular-season games. A two-time First Team Academic All-RMAC performer in the classroom, Stratton was named Honorable Mention All-RMAC a season ago. Stratton also garnered Second Team All-RMAC honors following her freshman and sophomore seasons (2005, 2006). A 5'6" sophomore outfielder from Lakewood, Colo. (Bear Creek H.S.), Starr hit .399 with seven HR and 40 RBI while starting all 54 regular-season games this year. Starr was an Honorable Mention All-RMAC pick as a freshman in 2007.

Stacie LaRocque and Margie Cone both earned Honorable Mention All-RMAC recognition for CSM, as well. LaRocque, a 5'8" senior infielder from Erie, Colo. (Monarch H.S.), hit .378 with 31 RBI while Cone, a 5'6" junior outfielder from Larkspur, Colo. (Douglas County H.S.), hit .374 in 99 at bats during the regular season. Cone also earned Second Team Academic All-RMAC honors in 2008.

In her first season at Mines, Van Wetzinga led the Orediggers to a 37-17 overall mark. CSM's 37 victories in 2008 established a new single-season program record, shattering the previous mark of 25 that was set in 2007.

With their 27-11 record in conference play, the Orediggers finished atop the regular-season RMAC standings and will host the 2008 RMAC Softball Tournament. CLICK HERE for the 2008 RMAC Softball Tournament bracket.

For more information, please contact CSM Sports Information Director Jeff Duggan at jduggan@mines.edu.

-- OREDIGGERS --