FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu May 9, 2016 MSUB softball’s Tracy named all-west region MSUB Softball on Facebook | MSUB Softball on ISSUU D2CCA Release | MSUB Yellowjacket Award Winners
MSUB softball sophomore right fielder Heather Tracy was named D2CCA all-west region.
After compiling one of the best season’s in the MSUB Yellowjacket softball program, sophomore Heather Tracy continues to earn accolades, receiving an all-west region nod from the D2CCA. RIVERSIDE, Calif. –Heather Tracy has earned NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association all-west region team honors released Monday. The sophomore was named as an outfielder to the all-west region second team and was a representative of just two Great Northwest Athletic Conference schools earning honors this year. “Heather has had a tremendous year for us and a great start to her career as a Yellowjacket in general,” MSUB head coach Rebekah Gasner said. “As a sophomore, it is quite an honor to not only be recognized for her success across the GNAC, but throughout the west region. She worked hard throughout the season to become a consistent threat in our
lineup, on the base paths, and in the outfield. Not only is she a true triple threat at the plate, she is even more threatening on the bases.” The right fielder was named a unanimous first team all-GNAC selection her second season in a Yellowjacket uniform. She ended the season batting .429 for third-best in the GNAC and third-best all-time in a single season at MSU Billings. She also led the top-20 batters in the GNAC in stolen bases with the third highest total in the conference at 16. Tracy was a triple threat for the team in the batter’s box as well as on the bases and in the outfield. She finished with three triples for a tie for second-best in the conference. She was sixth in on-base percentage at .461 and sixth in slugging percentage at .662. Tracy's slugging percentage is ninth-best all-time at MSUB in a single season. She finished the season with the secondhighest stolen bases in a single season as a Yellowjacket, and has accumulated 26 total in her career which ties her for fifth all-time. The native of Boise, Idaho, ended the season leading the team in hits with 57 and total bases at 88. She was fourth in RBI at 24 and third in home runs with seven. Tracy's approach at the plate of "see ball, hit ball" served the outfielder well as she improved her batting average from .318 as a freshman, to .429 this season, ranging as high as .463 and spending time atop the GNAC for multiple weeks. In addition to her bat and speed, Tracy's arm contributed to big plays from right field. In the final game of the year, Tracy ended the fifth inning with a double play, catching a line drive and then throwing out the runner at second. The week before, Tracy threw out Concordia's lead-off batter on a play from the far right field corner, catching the runner trying to stretch a hit into a triple. “In the outfield, Heather worked hard on getting behind the ball and gaining momentum on her throw,” Gasner continued. “I think she really started to capitalize on that and use that as a way to surprise a lot of runners trying to advance. She had five assists on the season, all on runners trying to stretch singles into doubles, or doubles into triples. She even had a few diving/sliding catches and got up to throw runners out because the ball looked like it was going to drop in no man’s land. On multiple occasions, Heather decided she wasn’t going to let that happen. As a coaching staff, we are proud of Heather and we look forward to having her back as an upperclassman next year.” Tracy was named the Yellowjacket Softball Player of the Year at the Fourth Annual Buzzie Awards last month. The awards were voted on by MSUB faculty and staff as well as votes compiled from public polls. From the California Collegiate Athletic Association, Humboldt’s Hanna Holland was named the West Region Player of the Year while teammate Katie Obbema was selected as the Pitcher of the Year. Joining Tracy from the GNAC were three players from Central Washington. Catcher Austin Wilkerson and first baseman Kailyn Campbell were named to the first team while Celine Fowler was named to the outfield second team with Tracy. Voting for the regional teams was conducted by the NCAA Division II Sports Information Directors from institutions and conference offices. Tracy follows the footsteps of last season’s GNAC co-Player of the Year, and MSUB shortstop Taylor Hoke, who was also a GNAC first team all-conference and second team all-west region honoree.
The Division II Conference Commissioners Association encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--