Lakeland College

Five Muskies garner All-NAC recognition

Athletics - posted on 5/5/2011

Five Lakeland College softball players garnered All-Northern Athletics Conference honors as the conference announced its awards Thursday morning.

Leading Lakeland on the NAC first team was Junior Leah Sheahan (Salem, Wis.). As the team's only upperclassmen, Sheahan led the Muskies to a 14-24 record after starting 0-10 at the Tucson Invitational in Tucson, Ariz. The left fielder leads the Muskies in runs scored (31) and home runs (2). She is hitting .356 and has been walked 12 times.

"Leah represents Lakeland," said Lakeland head coach Chad Buchmann. "She puts her best foot forward every day and her first team selection is well deserved."

Representing Lakeland on the NAC second team is freshman Sammy Rieder (St. Cloud, Wis.). The shortstop has had a standout season as she leads Lakeland in several categories including hits (43) and triples (4). Lakeland's leadoff batter also leads the team in total bases (67) and has hit two home runs. She has a .361 batting average.

"Sammy has worked extremely hard," said Buchmann. "She had a tough job as a freshman lead-off batter, but she has done a great job. She has emerged as a leader on the team both physically and emotionally."

Sophomore Heather Haeflinger (Shawano, Wis.) and freshman Samm Janc (Worth, Ill.) earned honorable mention All-NAC. Haeflinger's speed gave Lakeland's opponents trouble as she has recorded 13 stolen bases to go with a .386 on-base percentage.

"Heather uses her speed to her advantage," said Buchmann. "She puts balls in play and has the ability to make things happen for us."

Janc rose to the occasion for the Muskies in several games this season. She leads the team in batting average (.378), RBIs (27) and doubles (16). Janc and Rieder were also named to the NAC All-Freshmen team.

"Samm hits the ball well for us and her ability to do that allowed us to bring in more runs," said Buchmann.

Sophomore Jenny LaLuzerne (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) was selected to the All-Sportsmanship team. The right fielder is second on the team in batting average (.375) and triples (3).

"Jenny helped us turn our season around," said Buchmann. "To start out 0-10, make it to the NAC Tournament and have five girls earn all-conference honors says a lot about the team."

For a complete list of all 2011 Northern Athletics Conference softball awards, click here

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