Austintown, Ohio - May 7, 2011 – Junior first baseman Bessie Artino (Bellevue, Ohio / Bellevue) and sophomore second baseman Bridget Moran (Lakewood, Ohio / Lakewood) of the Heidelberg University softball team have earned a spot on the 2011 Ohio Athletic Conference Team. Artino was named to the second team, while Moran earned honorable mention accolades. The two honors mark the first time since 2003 that Heidelberg has had multiple players selected.
The All-OAC team is voted on by league head coaches and was announced following the conclusion of the OAC Tournament that concluded today.
Artino is picking up her first postseason honor of her career, following a record breaking season. Artino led the offense with 55 hits, which breaks the single season record held by Jadie Wheeler (54, 1999). Her team-leading batting average of .447 stands fifth best in single season, while her 13 doubles ties her with Megan Peregord (2001) and teammate Megan Reinhart (Tiffin, Ohio / Hopewell London) (2011) for first. Not to be outdone, Artino’s team-leading 34 runs batted in ranks fourth, while her seven home runs stands tied for third in single season. Defensively, Artino led with 260 put outs with a fielding percentage of .982.
Moran, also earning her first postseason accolade, was second on the team with 48 hits and 32 runs, which ties for fourth all-time in a single season in both categories. Moran was also second in batting average (.407) and fourth in RBI (28) and doubles (9). In the field, Moran was third on the team with a .947 fielding percentage.
Under the guidance of third-year head coach Betsy Hada, Heidelberg concluded the 2011 season, but not without etching its name into the record book. The team’s overall record of 24-14, broke the single season record of 23 wins set in 1996 and 1997. Hada has reached the 20-win plateau twice in her young coaching career, which has only been met seven times in the history of the program. Hada is the second coach behind Jim Miccichi (1995-98) to have consecutive 20-win seasons.
The Berg also broke the team records of runs scored (236), batting average (.353), runs batted in (207), hits (382), doubles (70), slugging percentage (.501), strikeouts (180) and home runs (22).
Against league foes, Heidelberg finished 6-12. Included in its list of victories was a doubleheader sweep of Capital University, marking the first sweep against the Crusaders since 1998.