WINDSOR, Ont. - The Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) is proud to announce the 2006 Fastball all-stars and major award winners. The award winners were honoured at the 2006 Women’s Fastball Championship Athletic Banquet that took place on Friday, October 20 hosted by St. Clair College.

Danielle Smith of Durham College was honoured for her impressive play this season. She was named OCAA Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and League Top Pitcher. Smith led her team on the mound this season propelling the Lords to win their tenth straight regular season title.

This first year rookie has fit in perfectly with the rest of her Lord teammates, pitching in eleven of twelve games this season and helped the Lords shutout their opponents seven times this season. Smith pitched 49 innings, finished second in the league in strikeouts (69) with a 1.58 ERA.

“When Danielle is on the mound she is in complete control of her game, she shows no negative emotions and if a call does not go her way, she digs deeper and gets the job done,” said Durham College Athletic Director, Ken Babcock. “Danielle is a quiet leader both on and off the field. She has a great work ethic at practice, which is why with the help of her teammates we have been so successful on the field. Her positive attitude is constantly reflected as she is always complimenting and offering positive feedback to her teammates.”

Durham’s second baseman Karen McWilliams was named the OCAA League Batting Champion and League All-Star. McWilliams closed out the season with a team leading .513 batting average, 18 runs and 7 RBI. The fourth-year veteran helped lead her team to a 11-1 season scoring 121 runs with only 15 runs scored against.


MAJOR AWARDS

Player of the Year
Danielle Smith, Durham College

League Top Pitcher
Danielle Smith, Durham College

League Batting Champion
Karen McWilliams, Durham College - .513 AV

Coach of the Year
Fawn Day, Conestoga College – (5-7)

Rookie of the Year
Danielle Smith, Durham College

League All-Stars
Player – College - Position
Jordan Shelleby - Cambrian Golden Shield – OF
Cindy Lafreniere - Cambrian Golden Shield – OF
Leigh-Anne Taylor - Canadore Panthers – P
Amanda Allen - Canadore Panthers – C
Brittany Swartzentruber - Conestoga Condors – C
Laura Matheson - Conestoga Condors – P/OF
Karen McWilliams - Durham Lords – 2B
Danielle Smith - Durham Lords – P
Jenny Koschanow - Mohawk Mountaineers – P/IF
Dana Steckle - Mohawk Mountaineers – CF/C
Jackelyn Desjardins - St. Clair Saints – 1B
Maggie (Joanna) Gray - St. Clair Saints – 2B
Rebecca Cunningham - Seneca Sting – P
Heather Elchuk - Seneca Sting - P

The OCAA governs intercollegiate sports and promotes physical activity in its member institutions through quality athletic and campus recreation programs. It offers 15 varsity sports to 30 member institutions throughout Ontario.


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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Michelle Waddick
OCAA Marketing & Communications
P: (416) 426-7043
W: www.ocaa.com