Three Bearcats Earn NFCA Scholar-Athlete Honors

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- Three Willamette University softball players have been named Scholar-Athletes by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) for the 2010-11 academic year. Willamette's honorees are Alex Watilo (Jr., in 2010-11, RHP, Newcastle, CA/Del Oro HS), Emily Bray (So., in 2010-11, 1B, Martinez, CA/Alhambra HS) and Yvonne Drabin (So. in 2010-11, OF, Fremont, CA/Moreau Catholic HS).

Players selected as NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes had to earn a combined grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale during the fall 2010 and spring 2011 semesters.

Watilo is majoring in History at Willamette. This past spring, she achieved a 15-6 record in the circle with a 2.47 earned run average and 71 strikeouts. She was named Second Team All-Northwest Conference.

During her career, Watillo has accumulated a 38-13 pitching record (.745) to go with a 2.49 career ERA and 174 career strikeouts. She was chosen First Team All-NWC in 2009 and was Honorable Mention All-NWC in 2010.

Bray is an English major. She played in 31 games in 2011 with 14 starts. She hit .206 and was 8 of 11 on stolen bases. On defense, she ranked second on the team with 134 putouts. She achieved a 1.000 fielding percentage.

In two seasons with the Bearcats, Bray has seen action in 58 games, including 31 starts. She has registered 206 putouts and 17 assists.

Drabin, who is majoring in Sociology at Willamette, played in 23 games and made 11 starts in 2011. She scored five runs, drove in four runs and was 5 for 5 on stolen bases. She has played in a total of 37 games the past two years, while earning a .225 career batting average with 40 at bats.

The Bearcats concluded the 2011 season with a 19-19 overall record, including 16-12 (4th place) in the NWC. Willamette was one of four teams to qualify for the NWC Tournament.